Sometimes, those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare. Time is one such commodity that some people give, very generously, even though it is often in short supply.

For this reason, I believe one of the greatest honours you can show to someone is to respect their time.

Jamberoo legend John Downes – Mumbles to everyone who knows him – has shared that precious commodity with us. He has given us his time. Fifty-seven years of it, in the service of the Jamberoo Fire Brigade.

Mumbles is part of a very small group of people across New South Wales to receive a NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioners Commendation for Service. This was presented on Sunday. I was privileged to be there when John received his award alongside other brigade members receiving National Emergency Medals for their service in the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-20.

The very next day I was asked to welcome the Wollondilly CWA members to their eighty-ninth conference in Kiama. As they gathered, I saw many big hearts and brains that volunteered their time to make an impact in our community. The whole conference was about everything they could do for others. They want to try a little harder, to dream a little broader and have their hearts stretch a little farther. The conference was full of people with ideas seeking others of their own kind. What a hoot for the Chicks With Attitude!

On 28 October, I will be at the Red Cross Zone 28 conference, with volunteers from all over our area. I know that these groups not only help us, but they also help each other. The Gerringong Red Cross needed a place to come together and provide Devonshire tea... the local RSL freely gave their hall. When renovations had to be made and the hall could not be used, Rotary came to the party and offered their facilities. Collaboration among the champions.

People who give their time to helping us in either front-line jobs or volunteering are true ambassadors and champions for our community. It is a noble thing to pitch in as a volunteer in your community and we are fortunate to live where we live, where more than 25 per cent of locals volunteer, compared to 18 per cent across NSW.

Perhaps the most amazing, if not surprising thing is that when awards are given for community service and volunteering, those who receive them are generally reluctant to take the limelight.

This is a hallmark quality in those who give more than they take. But, I believe, these people should be known by the wider community. Therefore, if you know of someone or a group who deserve recognition, you should nominate them for an award!

Our local Australia Day Awards recognise those people that play a part, large or small, in our community. The Australia Day Awards are for:

• Local Citizen of the year
• Young Citizen (24 years or under)
• Senior Citizen (65 years or over)
• Community Group

The Awards are presented at a ceremony each Australia Day, 26 January. This year, we’ll be holding our awards ceremony at Kiama Leisure Centre, to recognise the fact it’s the centre’s 40th Anniversary.

Nominations for our Australia Day Awards 2023 close 30 October 2022. Nominate someone today.