HONOUR FOR EXCELLENCE
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Brian Eschmann is the recipient of the Jeff Britten Award for the Pursuit of Excellence this year.
Mr Eschmann has received the honour for his dedication to professional excellence in the hospitality field as well as the tireless assistance he has provided to many in our community over the past three decades.
Since moving to Potato Point in 1980, Mr Eschmann has operated some fine dining establishments throughout the Shire, setting new standards for the region.
In the early 1980s Brian began to voluntarily assist and supervise disabled people’s activities in Moruya. He has since worked with Yumaro and its activities.
Brian has taught in tourism and hospitality at Moruya TAFE and hosted and catered numerous community functions and fund raisers throughout the Shire.
“He has cared continuously for invalids and others needing home support,” Mayor Fergus Thomson said. “He is a full time carer.
“Over three decades Brian Eschmann has shown dedication to professional excellence and tireless and unselfish assistance to many in our community.”
AWARD FOR TOP COACH
Phil Burt has received an award for his dedication and service to basketball in Batemans Bay and the Eurobodalla.
He received a Sports Achievement Award.
Phil has been involved in basketball in the local area for at least 20 years. He gives up his time to coach, organise and ensure the smooth running of the weekly competitions.
Over the past four years he has also coached under 12 and under 14 boys teams, taking them all to Country Championships.
In 2009, his under 14 Eurobodalla boys’ team entered the Southern Junior League competition against teams from Illawarra, Canberra, Albury, Wagga and Goulburn and won the Grand Final. They also won the Country Championships Division II against teams from Gosford, Maitland, Newcastle, Tamworth, Illawarra and Canberra.
As a result of the win, the team was invited to play State Cup Division II Under 14s boys, competing against two Sydney teams as well as the winners of the Junior Leagues throughout the State. Phil travelled at his own expense to Terrigal and coached the team to a grand final win.
YOUNG BAY GOLFER
Mitchell Donlan of Batemans Bay was recognised yesterday for his outstanding golfing achievements, for the exceptional manner in which he has represented the Shire and the State, and for the assistance he provides to younger golfers.
Mitchell has won six junior championships; for the past three years he represented Far South Coast at the NSW State Country Championships; and he is the current district champion. He is also a senior member of the Far South Coast District Golf Association Junior Development Squad.
Mitchell represented the NSW PGA and The Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation in New Caledonia in October, acting as an ambassador in addition to winning local tournaments.
He was a Young Citizen of the Year award finalist and won a Sports Achievement Award.
TEAM EFFORT REWARDED
An outstanding example of teamwork has been recognised with the Eurobodalla Relay for Life receiving the Community Event of the Year award yesterday.
Relay For Life is supported by the Cancer Council of NSW that raises funds for cancer research, education and support programs. Teams of 10 or more participants are challenged to complete a relay style walk or run over 24 hours.
The Eurobodalla Relay For Life was first held in Moruya in 2007 and again in 2008, moving to Mackay Park, Batemans Bay for the event in November 2009. Twenty-nine teams with 502 participants, including 27 cancer survivors raised over $45,525.
“The key to the success of the Eurobodalla Relay in 2009 was the strength and support from the local community,” Mayor Fergus Thomson said.
A MEDALLION FOR ELLIE
Ellie Crompton of Malua Bay received an Achievement Medallion at yesterday’s Eurobodalla Shire Australia Day awards ceremony. It was in recognition for her tireless work for the Malua Bay community, and in particular for her work with Malua Bay Bowling Club.
Ellie was instrumental in assisting Malua Bay Bowling and Recreation Club to successfully obtain government grants that enabled the Club to reduce its carbon footprint.
Ellie also commits many hours of her time in her role as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Malua Bay Bowling and Recreation Club; Chairman of Selectors for Malua Bay Women’s Bowling Club and is one of the leading lady bowlers at the club.
TOP GOLFER HONOURED
Probably not many people know, particularly at the top end of it, that Eurobodalla Shire has one of Australia’s top lady golfers.
The fact is better known today as a result of Sylvia Donohoe of Narooma receiving an Australia Day award for her exceptional golfing abilities and her mentoring of young players.
Sylvia’s sporting achievements are on a national level and bring great recognition both to Narooma and to Eurobodalla generally.
In late October 2009, for the sixth time, Sylvia became the Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Champion. She is the best senior female golfer in Australia.
Sylvia has won the last three Championships in a row and is the only person to have done this.
A long-standing member of Narooma Golf Club, she gives freely of her time to help and mentor junior players.
Sylvia Donohoe’s golfing prowess won her a Sporting Achievement award.
SERVICE TO HOCKEY
Her dedication to hockey for decades was recognised yesterday when Cheryl Sutherland of Moruya received an Australia Day award at Batemans Bay.
Cheryl has been involved with hockey since the 1960s and has captained and coached many premiership-winning sides as well as representative teams of all age divisions. She has three NSW Championship successes with the Eurobodalla Veterans’ team.
She has coached students from various primary schools, organised gala days, and coached and toured with school representative teams.
Cheryl has held many administrative positions with the Hockey Association and for over 20 years has been the primary groundkeeper of the Moruya hockey fields.
She is an accredited NSW Umpire, Hockey NSW Coach, Community Coach for the Australian Sports Commission and Life Member of Eurobodalla Coast Hockey Association.
Cheryl Sutherland won a Sports Achievement Award.
