They received donations from Rotary Club of Caringbah for $5,000, as well as from Caltex, Transfield Services, Towertech, Contract Resources, All State Cranes, Andreco Hurl, SEAT and National Insulation all contributing the remaining $16,000.
Rescue chairman, Ron Camilleri, said the volunteer organisation has wanted to replace its 14 year old Noosa Car rescue vessel for four years. The existing boat was involved in 373 rescues over the past five years and to purchase its replacement the club requires a further $40,000.
All volunteers are members of a surf life saving club. Recognition of the achievements of some of the volunteers occurred recently when four members, including Mr Camilleri, were awarded the National Medal, which is Australia’s most awarded civilian medal, for long and diligent service to the community.
Mr Camilleri said the National Medal was a great recognition of their services to the community, however he said the best recognition he and the other volunteers receive is the expression of gratitude on the face of someone you have just rescued.
To help the Cronulla District Lifesaver Rescue Service in replacing their offshore rescue boat, donations can be made by visiting www.offshore.org.au.
More Case Workers for Sutherland Community Services
An increase of case workers in Sutherland Shire has been announced with Community Services Minister Kevin Greene visiting Stapleton Ave Community Services offices last week.
Sutherland Community Services Centre is expanding their case workers and will receive a $1 million refurbishment to accommodate them. The case workers will expand from 18 to 30.
The majority of the new staff will be working on intervention programs, assisting families as quickly as possible after problems are identified. Their aim is to help families when things go wrong at the start rather than picking up the pieces at the end.
Local MP Paul Mcleay said the Centre will be working with non-government organisation partners such as Sydney Day Nurseries on the Brighter Futures program. The program will be targeting areas such as domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, anger management and children’s behavioural problems.
There are no dedicated case workers at Sutherland for this work at the moment according to Paul Mcleay however 5 of the new staff will be assigned to these areas with another two supporting families in the Sutherland Shire providing foster care.
The remaining five caseworkers will work in child protection, investigating referred matters, such as neglect, and developing solutions with supporting agencies he added.
The Sutherland office upgrade is part of a $1.2 billion State Government investment into child protection with 1,025 caseworkers being added by 2007-08 and $150 million for early intervention family services statewide.
New Home Units a Boost for Thomas Holt
Eleven new self care units are ready at Thomas Holt Memorial Village as construction continues to meet with the aged care demands in the Sutherland Shire.
Another six will be ready for occupation in about six weeks as negotiations with the Sutherland Shire Council and State Authorities continue about expanding the Sutherland site further into Jannali.
The Sutherland facility is now home to 252 residents living in accommodation that ranges from self care to hostel living to various levels of nursing care.
Chairman Don Grant said the opening of Woolooware Shores and St Basil’s at Miranda took the immediate heat off placements for possibly 12 to 18 months, however they still had more than 120 people on the waiting list.
With an emphasis on people remaining at home longer, Mr Grant said they have noticed some are leaving it late to plan for their later years. He added that the new $4 million wing at Sutherland was the first all Sutherland Shire design and construction service which had been used for buildings at the village. | 
