A 50 year veteran volunteer of community sport and fundraising, John Stoffels, has been named the 2022 Cronulla Senior of the Year on day one of the NSW Seniors Festival.
I announced John as the winner at a celebratory morning tea where the trophy was presented by Minister for Seniors Mark Coure.
John has been passionate about giving people from the Sutherland Shire the opportunity to play and enjoy sport. Over the years he has been a driving force across football, softball and more recently golf, always actively involved in fundraising to provide a better experience and facilities for players.
John’s enthusiasm for a cause is obvious, no more so than in his current role as Chair of the Woolooware Golf Club’s Legacy Committee, where he spearheads the annual push to help the families of fallen or ill veterans.
As an ex-serviceman himself, John throws himself into leading the fundraising effort, helping the club donate significant sums of money even when COVID-19 lockdowns have meant the yearly Legacy golf day couldn’t be held.
John’s passion, commitment and enthusiasm is infectious and has made a big difference to many people involved with both sport and Legacy.
John’s service to sport started with the Sutherland Shire Soccer Football Club, now the Sutherland Sharks Football Club, including a number of years as President, continued with the Sutherland Shire Softball Association where he was the President for more than a decade, and more recently he has been involved with the Sharks Social Golf Club, where he has served as President for almost 10 years.
The other finalists in the Cronulla NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards were:
- Patricia Cudmore – St Vincent de Paul Society Sutherland Shire regional president
- John Curtis – NSW State Emergency Service volunteer
- Michael Douglas – Sutherland Food Services volunteer including past president
- Ron Griffths – Lilli Pilli Football Club volunteer
- Betty Jacobs – Kurnell Girl Guides and Kurnell Pensioners’ Club volunteer
- Chris Murray – NSW State Emergency Service leading senior operator
- Norman “Buzz” Piddington – North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club volunteer
- Neil Reynolds – Caringbah Baptist Church and Skills4Me volunteer
- Russell Sullivan – Port Hacking Open Sailing Club rear commodore
- Brian Thompson OAM – Elouera Surf Life Saving Club patron, Tradies director
- Peter Turbet – Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare volunteer, Fred Hollows Foundation worker and history author.
The awards recognise the invaluable contribution seniors make to so many aspects of community life here in the Shire.
The finalists highlight how fortunate we are to have such incredible, dedicated volunteers in the Sutherland Shire, which makes it such a great place to live.
Our war memorials are sacred places — built by communities, cared for by volunteers and cherished by generations.
If someone desecrates them, they should be held accountable, but we’ve seen an increase in this sort of vandalism.
When Parliament resumes, the NSW Liberals and Nationals will introduce legislation to toughen penalties.
Under the Opposition’s Bill:
✅The maximum summary penalty (ie without the need for an expensive jury trial) for damaging a war memorial will increase to $22,000 or two years imprisonment, or both (from just $4,400 and no jail option at the moment)
✅The maximum penalty for offensive or indecent conduct near a memorial will also rise to $22,000
✅Offenders will be required to pay for repairs unless there are special circumstances, so that custodians like local Councils, RSL sub-branches and not-for-profit organisations don’t have to foot the bill. ... See MoreSee Less
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Great work !! Can you please also introduce legislation on this huge e-bike/scooters,fat bikes problem,to make them registered, insured and riders to have licences. Our community needs to be kept safe.
“They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.“
I attended moving Anzac Dawn Services at Martin Place and Cronulla today (and was represented at Caringbah and Miranda).
Anzac Day isn’t about celebrating generals or wars or territorial ambitions - above all, it’s about honouring the generations of ordinary men and women who’ve served, or are serving, their country through our defence forces, including over 100,000 Australians who’ve laid down their lives doing so - and being so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy as a result. ... See MoreSee Less
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Good Morning, 😀 HaVe A GrEaT Day! #Amazing_Work, #Great_PhotoS, #GreAt_LeAdeR
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
The 2025 Harbour Sunset Tribute on Anzac Eve marked the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign and 80 years this year since the end of World War II - a moving tribute to all who have lost their lives in service for our country, those who have served and those who are currently serving.
As I placed my wreath, I also thought of the thousands of Australians who would sailed from Sydney Harbour to serve our nation, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations Mark - Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!! 🤩😍
Visited the War graves in Gallipoli, so moving .
The best ANZAC service I have ever experienced. Thank you.
‘We Will Remember Them’ ‘Lest We Forget’ ✌🏾🙏🏾ings Always
G'day wooooooow so beautiful and so powerful Lest We Forget thankyou from Steve in Australia 🌏🦘🦘🦘
🌹🇦🇺
Welcome to Country ❤️🇦🇺
Melanie Kate Jones
youtu.be/K-z26dBgLM4?si=rVWYlqzsQsMDQM0T
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Cost shouldn’t be a barrier to protecting yourself and your loved ones from influenza.
Under the Minns Labor Government it is.
The NSW Liberals and Nationals are urging the Minns Labor Government to bring back free flu vaccines for all NSW people amid warnings of a monster flu season.
Our former Government provided free flu vaccinations in 2022, a program cut by the Minns Labor Government.
Last year’s flu season was the worst on record.
The Government needs to step up and ensure every NSW resident can access a free flu, which is what we’d do.
It’s false economy not to do so. In a cost-of-living crisis, providing free flu vaccines will result in fewer hospital visits, less pressure on emergency departments, fewer sick days and more lives saved. ... See MoreSee Less
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👌✅
This Friday on ANZAC Day we remember and honour as a community the sacrifice of the men and women who have served our nation in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Here are the details of local services in and around the Cronulla electorate. ... See MoreSee Less
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Awesome x
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I am deeply saddened, along with millions of Australians and with people across the world, by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Pope Francis was a beacon of humility, compassion and unwavering faith. His life was devoted to serving others, offering hope to the marginalised, and reminding the world of the power of mercy, forgiveness and love.
As the first Pope from the Jesuit order and the first from the Americas, he brought fresh leadership to the Church and reached people far beyond its walls. His example of simplicity and service will continue to inspire generations to come.
At this time of mourning, I offer my condolences to Australians of Catholic faith and all those who feel his loss so deeply. We give thanks for his extraordinary life of service and pray that he now rests in the eternal peace of Christ. ... See MoreSee Less
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My deepest condolences to the catholic across the world
Am not a Catholic but really respected & loved him. Sympathy to all Catholics.