It was my pleasure to announce that Robert Bryant of Kirrawee, a stalwart of water polo in the Sutherland Shire, is the 2025 Cronulla Senior of the Year.
Robert received the award at a presentation to recognise the contribution of 12 local volunteers nominated for the Cronulla Seniors Awards, which are presented as part of the annual NSW Seniors Festival.
Robert has made an enormous volunteer contribution to water polo in the Sutherland Shire over half a century of involvement with the sport locally.
Affectionately known as ‘Rocko’, Robert has continually dedicated his own time to pass on his knowledge and skills as a two time Olympian to up and coming players.
He’s been a coach and mentor for both the Cronulla club and the Sutherland Shire Junior Water Polo Association and can be found at the Sutherland Leisure Centre most days and evenings helping teams and coaches.
Robert is also actively involved with planning and organisation of the junior association’s ‘Polobility’ competition, a modified game designed to allow young people with a diverse range of disabilities to get involved in water polo.
On top of his efforts in coaching and administration as a volunteer, Robert also managed to notch his 900th game for the Cronulla Sharks in late 2024.
His community involvement has also extended to Cronulla Polar Bears, Elouera Surf Life Saving Club and St Patrick’s Football Club.
Robert is person with huge community spirit and this award is well-deserved recognition for what he’s done for local sporting organisations, individual players and officials and the sport of water polo over many decades.
I congratulate Robert and the 11 other finalists for the awards on what they’ve done as volunteers. Their efforts are a glimpse of the extraordinary work done by thousands of seniors who volunteer across the Shire every day to help our many community organisations do what they do and help make it a great place to live.
It was great to see the 12 finalists, together with their family, friends and representatives of the organisations where they volunteer, at the Cronulla Seniors Awards presentation in Caringbah South.
The other finalists for the Cronulla Seniors Awards were:
Greg Allum AM of Cronulla for service to the community through surf lifesaving
Lynette Bates of Woolooware for service to the community through Rotary, Probus and Wrap with Love
Andrew Britton of Burraneer for service to the community through Surfing Sutherland Shire
Robert and Nerida Broady of Caringbah for service to the Community through Caringbah Baptist Church
Helen Forsyth of Cronulla for service to the community through the Sutherland Shire Council Animal Shelter.
Bob King of Cronulla for service to the community through Elouera Surf Life Saving Club
Noel Parkinson of Caringbah South for service to the community through Marine Rescue NSW
Ernest ‘Solly’ Stephens OAM of Cronulla for service to the community through Wanda Surf Life Saving Club
Lyn Turnbull of Caringbah South for service to the community through Caringbah Baptist Church
Steve Willett of Caringbah South for service to the community through Lilli Pilli Football Club.
2 April is World Autism Day - marked in the Shire today with the opening of the new Inclusive Education Hub at Gymea Bay Public School. ... See MoreSee Less
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Education is the key to all in our community. Thank you for this support.
Excellent.
Nice to see Simon out and about for a change
My deepest sympathies to the family and many friends of Tony Issa OAM, former Granville Liberal MP and Parramatta Lord Mayor who passed away after a long illness. He was 69.
Tony was the state’s first Liberal Lord Mayor when he became Parramatta Lord Mayor in 2008 and the state’s first Lebanese-Australian politician to hold that position.
Tony served as the State Member for Granville from 2011 to 2015.
A long-time Merrylands resident, Tony received an Order of Australia Medal in 1995 in recognition of his many contributions to the Lebanese-Australian community. He also a NSW Local Government Award for more than 20 years’ service as a Councillor on Parramatta City Council.
Tony will be deeply missed.
Vale Tony. ... See MoreSee Less
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Vale Tony Issa OAM
May he rest in the Arms of the Lord
My condolences rip
Rest in peace 🙏
Vale
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🇱🇧 🇦🇺 Maronite Catholic Society gala dinner celebrating and promoting Maronite tradition and heritage and its contribution to Australian society - with plenty of vibrant dancing too. ... See MoreSee Less
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A soggy but well subscribed Port Hacking Outrigger Canoe Club Regatta today, with a blessing of the canoes from the Karanga Group to kick off and clubs from as far north as Newcastle and as far south as Mollymook. ... See MoreSee Less
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Vote out the political duopoly that locked you down.
The flu season is just around the corner – it’s time to roll up your sleeve and get your flu shot.
2024 was one of the worst flu seasons on record for NSW with over 160,000 reported cases, and data out of Europe and the US is showing 2025 could be even worse.
Flu isn’t just a bad cold—it can even be deadly, so book your flu vaccine today. ... See MoreSee Less
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After two years of Minns Labor Government, NSW families are hurting, businesses are folding, and economic growth has stalled.
Rents have skyrocketed, families are being priced out of their own communities, gambling harm has grown.
Under the Minns Labor Government, elective surgeries have blown out to COVID-era levels, the public health system is going backwards, and the mental health system is in crisis.
Unions are running the state, causing ongoing cause chaos on the Sydney train network. And there’s more strikes on the horizon.
Infrastructure projects are being delayed or kicked down the road.
And housing delivery is failing – in the middle of a housing crisis.
This is the state of NSW after two years of Minns Labor Government.
NSW deserves better. ... See MoreSee Less
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Come up with a plan to build more metro lines
Duopolies that are to our detriment. Woolies and Cole’s, labor and liberals.
12 years of neglect from your government, just remember that
What’s worse than a supermarket duopoly? A political duopoly. Vote independent or minors as if your children’s life depends on it.