Volunteer of the year Lillian Andrews with Mayor Peter Besseling (centre) and councillors Lisa Intemann and Justin Levido at the ceremony on Friday night.

DEDICATED community all-rounder Lillian Andrews has been recognised for her selflessness.
She was named the Port Macquarie-Hastings volunteer year of the year at a special council ceremony on Friday night.
For many years Mrs Andrews has donated an extraordinary amount of her time to a range of local community organisations, including the Port Macquarie Historical Society and Museum, Port Macquarie Meals Service, Hastings Home Hospice and Hastings United Bootscooters.
At the Port Macquarie Historical Museum, where Mrs Andrews has been volunteering for seven years, she is a front desk volunteer, tour co-ordinator, tour guide, research volunteer, public speaker for community groups and acknowledged as a great ambassador for the organisation.
Mrs Andrews was described by peers as a “beautiful and selfless person” and invaluable member of the groups she volunteers with.
She was nominated by her colleagues at the Port Macquarie Meals Service, where she has volunteered for 12 years.
There were 13 nominees for the award and mayor Peter Besseling said that it was tough to pick a winner.
All the nominees and supporters were invited to the award presentation, where Cr Besseling announced Mrs Andrews as the recipient and presented her with a certificate and a $1000 donation towards a not-for-profit organisation of her choice.
Now in its fourth year, the award is a way of saying thankyou to the many hundreds of volunteers who work tirelessly in the Port Macquarie-Hastings community across a diverse range of community organisations.

The other nominees:

Michael Reid: Michael Reid is the inaugural chairman of the Australian Ironman Local Organising Committee. He has contributed more than 5000 hours of his time over 12 years in helping to co-ordinate the event which draws over 1600 competitors and over 2000 local volunteers. He has also been a volunteer coach, president and committee member and trainer for members of the Port Macquarie Triathlon Club for over 22 years.

Julian Dennis: Julian has ’manned’ the barbecue at every Wauchope Bonny Hills SLSC ’Nippers Day’ since his daughter started with the club in 2005, as well as for other club functions. He doesn’t let his disabilities get in the way of trying to provide a much-needed support service for the club. He gets there early to set up, keeps going behind the hot plates as long as there are people wanting food and stays behind to pack up, clean up and wash up.

Patrick Galbraith-Robertson: A member of Hastings Valley Mountain Bike Riders who has donated countless hours of personal time toward the construction and maintenance of mountain bike infrastructure at Wayne Richards Park. He has also been integral in increasing youth club membership which has now risen to over 100 members.

Shane Hughes: Shane has been an active member of Port Macquarie State Emergency Service for over 30 years during his service he has been involved in numerous rescue operations including the Clybucca Bus Crash in 1989 and a rescue at Mt Seaview in 1991 where he was awarded a Commendation for Brave Conduct by the Governor-General.

Nik Sandeman-Allen: Nik has volunteered as chairperson for the Hastings Access Sub-Committee for five years. During this time, Nik has championed the removal of barriers for people with a disability and is a strong community advocate for improving the built environment so it is disability friendly. Nik also volunteers as a judge for the annual Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce Disability Friendly Awards and conducts on-site inspections of nominees’ businesses.

Malcolm Merrick: Malcolm is currently the president of Tacking Point Lions Club. Under his leadership the club has completed a wandering path at the GEM Ward at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. He has helped assist other service groups with either fund-raising or with manpower when or where required. Malcolm has also been chairman of the Hastings Men’s Shed since 2010. He organises visits by health practitioners, financial advisers, bereavement counselling, and Centrelink along with skilled tradesmen and special interest groups.

James Middleton: James has been a member of Camden haven Meals on Wheels for over 10 years. At a time when most retirees are taking things a bit easier, Jim is actively involved in managing this small community business – a big responsibility which includes the employment of five staff, developing strategic plans, and updating organisational policies and procedures to ensure best practice.

Emily Davidson: Emily showed what could be achieved in gaining the NSW Junior Life Saver Award in 2011. Emily is now part of the Port Macquarie SLSC leadership co-ordinator’s team. She attended a camp as a facilitator, displaying her skills as a speaker, leader, mentor, trainer and team member while organising and teaching nippers various life and surf life saving skills.

Diane Hayes: Diane has played an integral role in the development of the iKew Visitor Centre and Community Hub. Her dedication to the project from the beginning has been extraordinary and it has increased substantially as the centre became a reality.

Janet Hyde: Janet has been an important player in the Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce, Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Board and Port Panthers for the past five years. Janette first started volunteering around 1980 when she joined the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association and has been involved many organisations since. She most recently helped organise the inaugural Port Macquarie Beatles Festival.
Janet has been a key player in the local tourism industry for over 25 years, and currently donates more than 40 hours of her time every week toward activities, events and strategies that contribute to the promotion of the Greater Port Macquarie region.

Margaret Rudder: Margaret has volunteered for the support unit at Westport high School for more than four years. During this time she has undertaken work with both physically and intellectually disabled students. The work Margaret has undertaken requires specialised skills which she has gained over the years of her work.

Denis McIntyre: Denis volunteers for the NSW Rural Fire Service as a communications radio operator and participates in an after hours duty on call system to respond units to incidents and emergencies. Denis also acts as a duty officer on weekends supervising the emergency responses. He has provided countless hours over the years of service and trained many others in the correct procedures over time.

Darren O’Rafferty was in fine form on the waves at the Bird Rock Memorial. Picture: Sandy Feet Surf Co.

By MATT NICHOLLS

LIFEGUARD Darren O’Rafferty was in hot form over the weekend, taking out his first Bird Rock Memorial Surf Classic.
Somewhat of a local legend, O’Rafferty has been competing in the Bird Rock Classic for more than 10 years and etched his name in histroy with a stellar weekend on the waves.
More than 100 surfers took part in the annual memorial event, which paid tribute to all surfers that had died in the Hastings.
O’Rafferty said it was a thrill to win.
“It’s a great cause and the competition was very strong,” he said.
“It’s terrific to get all the community surfers together.”
Bird Rock Classic publicity officer Geoff Branch said it was another successful weekend.
“Everyone enjoyed themselves and had an awesome time,” he said.
“People came from Queensland and Sydney and all over the place to be here.
“We had 111 surfers compete, but a lot of family and friends watch in support.”
Branch said that moving the event from October to May had paid off.
“We decided to move it a couple of years ago and we’ve been blessed by great waves the last two years,” he said.
“May makes for much better surfing conditons.”

THE WINNERS
Open A: Darren O’Rafferty
Open B: Tom Howard
Open Women: Mel Petrorius
Open Kneeboard: Shane Whitehouse
Cadets: Ben Howard
Juniors: Jack Germain
Retro 040s: Grant Mckenzie
Masters: Shaun Weston
Grand Masters: Anthony Donohoe
Legends: Joel Kolehmaiden
Grand Legends: Bob March
Best Tube: Mitch Sykes
Bird Rock MNC Girls Surfing award: Gracie Monaghan

Laurissa Mangold – Jazz Scholarship winner. Pictures: CHILDISH PHOTOGRAPHY

WAUCHOPE and Port Macquarie Performing Arts students scooped the pool at the Taree Eisteddfod, winning both major awards over the fortnight of competition.
Laurissa Mangold was this year’s recipient of the senior jazz scholarship, while Phillipa Mills was awarded the senior classical ballet scholarship.
Both girls receive a week of training at prestigious Sydney full-time dance schools as part of their prize.
Principal Stacey Morgan said she was overwhelmed by the hard work and enthusiasm shown by both students in preparation for the event.
“Both Phillipa and Laurissa have worked incredibly hard in the lead-up to this competition,” she said.
“For Phillipa it was her last Taree Eisteddfod as she graduates at the end of the year and so she really wanted to go out with a bang.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way all of the students performed and the great results are just the icing on the cake.”
The students are now preparing for the group performances to take place over the weekend.
Phillipa leaves in June to attend the prestigious Milwaukee Ballet Company summer program for four weeks of full-time training from the best classical coaches and choreographers from around the world.

Phillipa Mills – Wendy Burke Memorial scholarship winner for classical ballet.

Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling cuts the ribbon to open the new Telstra business centre with Telstra executive director John Boniciolli.

TELSTRA has opened a new specialised business centre in Port Macquarie as part of a $100 million push to provide a better range of communications technology and services for small businesses across the country.
The centre was officially opened on Friday.
Telstra Country Wide Area regional general manager Tricia Wilson said specially trained staff in the new centre could help unravel some of the complexity surrounding modern business communications and provide new tailor-made business solutions.
“Every business has unique challenges and requirements, and our centre staff can assist local companies to identify their needs, implement effective systems and help manage costs,” Ms Wilson said.
“Whether it’s installing the right business connectivity solution for your office or discussing the best mobile phone plan for your staff when they are out and about, our centre staff can help.”
Each Telstra business centre is staffed with Telstra business certified solutions professionals who can offer a range of live demonstrations with the latest technology.
As well as a $100 million program to open Telstra business centres across Australia, Telstra is also investing a further $800 million in cloud-based computing services.
“Cloud computing means small businesses can avoid spending their own capital. They can store data in our network (tsuite.com) or lease software, and avoid some big upfront IT investments,” Ms Wilson said.
The Telstra business centre is located at 177 Lake Road, Port Macquarie and can be contacted on 5525 0000.

Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling opened the walk on Sunday with his two dogs, Theo and Hunter.

THE fur was flying at Port Macquarie on Sunday as hundreds of people and their beloved pooches gathered for the RSPCA Million Paws Walk.
More than 400 people were at the Port Macquarie racecourse for the annual event, which has been run for more than a decade.
“We had more numbers than last and the weather was brilliant,” Port Macquarie RSPCA manager Kerry Swift-McNair said.
“The dogs had a great day out.”
More than 15,000 people across the state took part in the Million Paws Walk, according to the RSPCA.
The Millions Paws Walk is the RSPCA’s biggest event and helps support the battle against animal cruelty.
“Fund-raising is an essential component of the Million Paws Walk and this year we hope to raise $200,000 to assist the 30,000 animals that we care for each and every year,” NSW RSPCA chief executive Steve Coleman said.

Tacking Point Lighthouse.

THE restoration and enhancement of the Tacking Point Lighthouse and surrounding headland has taken an exciting step after the official opening of stage two yesterday.
The restoration and enhancement of the Lighthouse site is a joint initiative between the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie Sunrise and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
The second stage involved the construction of new stairs from the car park to the Lighthouse, construction of a 60-metre long stone block retaining wall, plantings of native grasses and other works aimed at reducing the soil erosion and stabilising the banks.
The opening was attended by Federal MP Rob Oakeshott and mayor Peter Besseling, as well as Rotary members and participants in the community engagement process.
The general public was also able to attend.

• Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
• Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.
• Know where safe places are – a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, you should go to one of these places and ask them to call the police.
• Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help – police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
• Don’t talk to people you don’t know and never get into a car with someone you don’t know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don’t know the person inside, do not stop.
• If you are scared and can use a phone, call triple zero and tell them you are scared.
• If someone tries to grab you, yell out, ‘Go away, I don’t know you’. This lets other people know you have been approached by someone you don’t know.