Mid North Coast Regional Winners
Mid North Coast Regional Award Ceremony
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 Norm Cunningham, Mid North Coast Region Volunteer of the Year with Cec Miller from the Rural Fire Service |
 Laurie Smith OAM, Mid North Coast Region Senior Volunteer of the Year receiving his Award from Deputy Mayor, Bob Sharpham |
Mid North Coast Region Volunteer of the Year
Norm Cunningham of Nabiac
Norm Cunningham is Captain of the Minimbah Rural Fire Brigade after having served as an officer for the past four years. Previously from the Hawkesbury, Norm is a Life Member of the Cool Brigade after having joined in 1963. He was a member of the Hawke bury Disaster Committee. Norm has taken command in extreme conditions and has overcome many obstacles in terms of training and management of volunteers. He has been instrumental in the construction of tankers and the conversion of four-wheel drives to firefighting purposes. His nominator, Brent Williams says: "His dedication to our Brigade and the Rural Fire Service in general is that of unwavering loyalty and commitment."
Mid North Coast Senior Volunteer of the Year
Laurie Smith of Port Macquarie
Laurie Smith has been a volunteer with Aunties and Uncles for more than 22 years mentoring disadvantaged children. He and his wife Barbara have made a commitment of 12 months to each child they are linked to, but remain in touch with many who have moved away. Laurie speaks with passion about the need for mentoring and support for boys in particular who need the guidance and support of a positive male role model in the absence of an appropriate father figure.
His nominator, Rose George says: "His personal qualities of drive, enthusiasm, commitment and hard work are conveyed to those he comes into contact with and are a wonderful example to the three boys he has delighted to watch grow into young men."