Bill Dennis is passionate about the Manning Valley. He sees its beauty and potential and for 25 years has volunteered thousands of hours on hundreds of projects to improve our community.
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He works hard to inspire community groups, to secure grants from local, State and federal government representatives, and seeks to change community perceptions of the region by working to improve facilities and the environment.
He is a quiet achiever and this week, the NSW Government acted to recognise his commitment and contribution to community. NSW Minister for Women Pru Goward and Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead presented Mr Dennis with a NSW Premier’s Volunteer Recognition certificate and badge to acknowledge 25 years of volunteer work.
Mr Bromhead thanked Mr Dennis for his contribution and applauded his commitment to the rehabilitation of Browns Creek in Taree.
“Bill has taken ownership of Browns Creek. It was one of those putrid, stagnant, awful, effluent containing creeks that ran through the heart of the town,” Mr Bromhead said.
“Bill with the support of other volunteers has completely turned it around so it’s pristine, beautiful, the mangroves are growing back again and there are fish.
“I can remember when I was in the police force and you would go up the river in the boat and come to the entrance of Browns Creek and there was this plume going out into the river – it was awful.
“Bill has completely turned it around in five years.”
Mr Dennis said the greatest challenge of the Browns Creek project was “trying to change community attitudes to the creek.”
“Because it is in the heart of the town it has been a common dump site. You wouldn’t believe what people have dumped in the creek over the years but slowly that is changing and we are proud of the changes that have been achieved.”
