This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the people who help keep our small communities connected, active and thriving.

Last weekend, Mayr Cr Jodie Ashworth had the pleasure to attend Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance’s presentation night last weekend and see that contribution celebrated firsthand. The lifesaving club plays a significant role in our community, not only in terms of patrols of our beaches in summer months, but training, developing young people, fundraising and holding competitions, and providing a focal point for the community to connect.

A real highlight on the night was seeing our Parks and Gardens Coordinator; Dave Richardson receive both his Life Membership and National Service Award.

Even the club president remarked that he calls Dave “The Mayor” because of how much he knows about both the club and the community - so it only seemed fitting that the two “Mayors” grabbed a photo together!

Congratulations, Dave - a genuinely lovely person whose commitment to volunteering across many organisations (and many years) and supporting our region is clearly admired by so many.

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