Gail Erskine has been named the 2021 Cronulla Senior of the Year, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to children’s literature in NSW.
Gail Erskine is passionate about giving children access to high-quality Australian literature, as well as opportunities to connect with the authors and illustrators they love.
Whether in her professional life as a school teacher, or during the 30 years she’s been involved with the Children’s Book Council of Australia – NSW Branch, Gail has always sought ways to foster a love of reading among children and to encourage imaginative literary production.
Even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gail helped to ensure that children could be uplifted by online storytelling while they were in lockdown. Around 55,000 minutes of story time were presented as part of this Lunchtime Storytime program.
Gail’s energy, resilience and creativity are remarkable. Her fundamental belief in the transformative power of children’s writing has shaped her life’s work and inspired a love of reading among thousands of children.
The other finalists in the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards were:
- Joy Burns – Grays Point Public School volunteer
- Reg Chirgwin OAM and Shirley Chirgwin OAM – Sutherland Hospital garden kiosk volunteers
- Carolyn Davis – Kurnell photographer and volunteer
- Rina Mandarano – Stella Maris volunteer
The NSW Seniors Festival, which reaches around 500,000 seniors each year, is the biggest festival of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The NSW Seniors Festival runs from 13-24 April and gives seniors a broad variety of opportunities to build connections in their communities, to be active and to try new things.
It’s also a chance for all of us to acknowledge and celebrate the important contribution of seniors right across NSW.
An honour to join the vibrant and joyful Nagar Yatra procession, in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha - an extraordinary celebration of peace at the new BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Sydney temple at Kemps Creek.
BAPS AUS ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you, Mark Speakman, for joining the vibrant Nagar Yatra procession in the presence of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. Grateful to have shared this special occasion with you.
The golden moments.
☺ Congratulations, HaVe A GrEaT Day! #Amazing_Work, #Great_PhotoS, #Great_VideO, #GreAt_LeAdeR
🩷Happy International Women’s Day!
This week we celebrated Fiona Sutton’s award as 2025 Cronulla Woman of the Year.
Fiona joins a distinguished list of previous awardees. We’re blessed to have these trailblazing women who’ve done so much for our community!
2014 – Dr Karen Crawley (Mitochondrial disease awareness)
2015 – Megan Barnes (Pancreatic cancer awareness)
2016 – Jen Armstrong (Founder of the Beauty Bank; also NSW Woman of the Year)
2017 – Alison Todd (Cancer Council volunteer)
2018 – Kate Fitzsimons (Safe travel awareness - Nicole Fitzsimmons Foundation)
2019 – Shirley Smith (Caringbah RSL sub-branch President)
2020 – Margaret Corbett OAM (netball leadership)
2021 – Cathy Mason (Rotary, Sutherland Shire Relay for Life)
2022 - Rebecca Hinshelwood (Kurnell Rural Fire Brigade president and deputy captain)
2023 - Lisa Tilsed and Adriarn Crane (Wondering Women)
2024 - Julie McKinnery (breast cancer fundraising and advocacy) ... See MoreSee Less
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Thank you Mark.
International Women’s Day brunch this morning supporting @thefamilyco_ - each year helping over 10,000 people through youth, child and family services and around 9,000 people through domestic violence support offerings. ... See MoreSee Less
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💜 I’m thrilled to announce, in the lead up to International Women’s Day, that Wanda Surf Life Saving Club President Fiona Sutton is the 2025 Cronulla Woman of the Year.
Fiona is a remarkable leader who has quietly made a difference to life in the Sutherland Shire over many years.
She’s been an active volunteer and leader at Wanda.
A driving force in Wanda’s ‘nippers’ that introduces children aged 5 to 14 to surf lifesaving, one of Fiona’s proudest achievements as Chair of the club’s Junior Activities Group is the successful introduction of the inclusive and accessible ‘Red Fins’ program.
Once a nipper herself, Fiona holds 13 surf lifesaving awards and a Bronze Medallion in Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue.
Fiona is also an active member of Wanda’s surf patrols.
Fiona runs her own successful business ‘The Music Bus’.
She’s been described by the Wanda club as an inspirational leader, much loved mum, and friend to all in in the club family and beyond.
Fiona’s enthusiastic and friendly way is appreciated by many in the Shire. ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations!
Congratulations! 💕
A true leader and an inspirational woman.
Thank you Mark. I am very honoured and humbled to receive this award. There are so many amazing women in our local community who make great contributions.
Congratulations! This is wonderful news! Another amazing Shire volunteer recognised! Welcome to the Club! 💓
Congratulations to Fiona. We are so fortunate to have you as a volunteer. Welcome to the club.
Congratulations Fiona well deserved
Congratulations Fiona! Very well deserved!
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Tropical Cyclone Alfred Update:
NSW SES is advising residents in the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers to prepare for damaging and destructive winds, large powerful surf, coastal erosion and heavy rainfall with Tropical Cyclone Alfred expected to cross the coast from Friday.
Moderate to major flooding is possible.
Stay informed by downloading the Hazards Near Me App via the SES NSW website, which will include the latest warnings and information for impacted communities.
Follow SES NSW on social media at NSW SES or visit its website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
Listen to your local ABC radio station which can be found at reception.abc.net.au
Check latest weather and warnings at www.bom.gov.au/nsw/
For information on temporary school closures in your area, check www.education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/school-operational-status ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations to the 2025 Cronulla Senior of the Year! I announced the award to Kirrawee’s Robert ‘Rocko’ Bryant at a local morning tea today for finalists and their supporters, celebrating the vital contribution that seniors, especially volunteers, make to our community.
Having represented Australia in water polo at multiple World Cups, World Championships and the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Robert has been supporting Cronulla Sharks Water Polo Club for more than half a century.
He’s facilitated the development of the Sutherland Shire Junior Water Polo Association for over 30 years.
He’s held senior committee positions, been a coach and mentor for both the Cronulla Club and the Shire juniors and can be found at Sutherland Leisure Centre most days and evenings assisting teams, coaches and specifically new parent coaches.
Robert also actively assists with the junior association’s “Polobility” competition, a modified game of water polo designed for inclusion of young people with a diverse range of disabilities.
The other outstanding finalists (all volunteers) are:
Greg Allum AM, Cronulla, Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
Lynette (‘Lyn’) Bates, Woolooware, Rotary Club of Cronulla and Oyster Bay Probus
Andrew (‘Andy’) Britton, Burraneer, Surfing Sutherland Shire.
Robert and Nerida Broady, Caringbah, Caringbah Baptist Church.
Helen Forsyth, Cronulla, Sutherland Shire Council Animal Shelter.
Robert (Bob) King, Cronulla, Elouera SLSC.
Noel Parkinson, Cronulla South, Marine Rescue NSW.
Cronulla’s Ernest ‘Solly’ Stephens OAM, Cronulla, Wanda Surf Life Saving Club.
Lyn Turnbull, Caringbah South, Caringbah Baptist Church.
Steve Willett, Caringbah South, Lilli Pilli Football Club. ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations Steve Willett. Amazing efforts supporting the community. A big cheer to all the finalists. A great line up.
Outstanding Mark. A great group f dedicated local members of our community!
Thank you Mark Speakman for your initiative with these awards. I have been fortunate to have known Bob Bryant for over 50 years. He is a most worthy winner. Congratulations Rocko and to all the other nominees. 👏👏👏
Congratulations to Steve and all the amazing finalists. Our community applaud you.
All very deserved nominees. Congratulations Rocko on an amazing career as a player and coach. You have helped so many kids realise their dreams in waterpolo.
Congratulations 🙌
Congratulations
Well done, and your rewards are not only in a trophy, but with the memory of the many lives that you saved and encouraged.
Btw Miss Forsythe Happy Birthday 🥳
Helloooo Helen Forsythe
It’s pure and simple—if Labor doesn’t invest in new metro lines, that’s it. I’m voting Liberal because they will.
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