Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club with the support of sponsors and the local business community proudly presented Carols at the Beach at Avalon Beach on the 7th December 2019. In response to the catastrophic bushfires that have been occurring, all money collected in tins this year went to the volunteers at the Rural Fire Service, Warringah-Pittwater Headquarters at Terrey Hills.
The Carols at The Beach annually brings the Pittwater community together for a night of singing, Christmas celebration and fireworks all set against the spectacular backdrop of Avalon Beach. This year the Carols featured performances from local musicians Lara Duncan, Kasey Kramer, The Rions, and the fantastic voices of the Jubilation Choir, which was formed in 1993 by world renowned local chanteuse Joy Yates. The evening also includes a market style food fair and a visit by Santa.
This free community event, attracting well over 3000 people every year, has been running since 2014 and would not be possible without the generous support of our Platinum Sponsors, McGrath Avalon and Gold Sponsor Aveo and supporters Johnson Bros Mitre 10 and the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber.
Ashley Cardiff, President of Avalon Beach SLSC, welcomed all, stating:
I would like to personally thank all our amazing volunteers. It is an accomplishment that such an event can be run so professionally when organised and run entirely by volunteers. Thanks once again top our event manager Volker Klemm and his team of Di Cutrie, Kalinda Hawson, Leanne Austin, Tom Waters, Alan Moran, Richard Cole and many others.
We are also very grateful to the scores of lifesavers, Club Members, friends of Avalon Beach SLSC and local businesses who have donated raffle prizes and worked incredibly hard to set up, run and support this evening.
Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club is a community club and a community building. I invite all members of our community to participate in our classes during the week, hire our venue for celebrations or come and have a drink at the bar and enjoy the view from the verandah on a Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. We are also delighted to welcome new members.
On behalf of Avalon Beach SLSC I wish you and your families a safe and happy Christmas. Our members love patrolling our wonderful beach, but we don't want you to become one of our statistics, so please, always swim between the flags.
A photo album has been made available of this year's Carols at the Beach HERE for those who would like to download images for their own Family Albums. A few of these run in this week's Christmas Cheer pictorial.
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December 5th, 2019
Finalist Young
Hannah Chadwick - Avalon Beach resident
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Twenty two year old Hannah has been volunteering for more than a decade. She began in the hydrotherapy pool at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and has continued her work helping at fundraising events., supporting children at their respite house and on day trips. She now volunteers for other organisations such as Manly Surf Life Saving Club and Wild Women on Top.
Finalist Senior
Ian Lovelace Northern Beaches
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Ian has provide hundred of hours of volunteer support for children in the Aquafit program. The program provides respite for participants' parents, health and wellness for clients and friendship and fun for participants and volunteers. Ian is also a volunteer driver helping to transport children living with a disability.
Blacktown Police Chief Inspector and father of seven Bob Fitzgerald has been named the 2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year for a life spent helping community and sporting groups, and the people of Western Sydney.
2019 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year: Robert Fitzgerald
Organisations: Blacktown City Netball Association, SydWest Multicultural Services, Eastern Creek Pioneers Netball Association, NSW Kookaburra Kids, Western Sydney Aboriginal Men’s Group, Karabi Neighbourhood Centre, Blacktown Community Area Centre, Blacktown / Seven Hills Bears Rugby Leagues Club
The volunteering resume of Blacktown Police Chief Inspector Bob Fitzgerald runs over several pages. It is a life of volunteering spanning the past 40 years.
However, it is the impact that Bob’s volunteering has had on so many people, organisations and his Western Sydney community that sets him apart.
His volunteer work as coach, administrator and event coordinator for netball, rugby league, Olympic and Paralympic events helps keep local sporting groups going, while also providing a link to the community to help battle social isolation, support victims of family and domestic violence, homelessness and drug addiction. His volunteering builds links between different and diverse communities.
One supporter sums up the volunteering impact of the full-time police chief inspector and father of seven: “Bob leaves a legacy of significantly influencing positive and lasting change for women, children, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
“He gives so much for Western Sydney – he’s a man of the people.”
Bob is a community leader, mentor, and advocate and is a fitting recipient of the 2019 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year Award.
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