Mayor David West spoke of the history of volunteering from a personal perspective of family members who volunteered to fight for our nation and what we believe in – 'it's in our DNA' he said.

He spoke of the three per cent of the 90,000 plus residents of  our new council area who regularly volunteers.

His figures I believe only speak of those who are affiliated with council’s maintenance services.

Others within our community who also deserve recognition are those who are associated with service clubs, SES, Marine Rescue, Rural Fire Services, Landcare, Surf Life Saving, sports coaches, Meals on Wheel deliverers, the Pink Ladies at the hospital, the list goes on …

Friends of Browns Creek (FoBC) is a group who have benefitted greatly for the volunteering support of others, such as GPB Partners who have funded our efforts, Valley Industries who provided soil and mulch, CJ Hogan Plumbing who supplied us with a trailer, Earles Turf who supplied turf for repairing degraded section of park lands, Manning Valley Containers who supplied a container at the right price for storage of our equipment and Taree Showground for allowing us to store it free of charge.

Council is also a major contributor to our volunteering effort by supplying two lawn mowers, brush cutters, weeding tools, safety gear and training. We also have free access to council plant nursery, and their parks and garden trailers, and a water tanker. Council has also  provided  a truck and pressure cleaning equipment for removing graffiti.

However, our focus still remains on preventing refuse getting into our creek, river and ocean, and as such we give a big 'thumbs up' to those businesses who now contributing by 'bining' their waste - Harvey Norman, Valley Industries, Crossingham's Plumbing Services, AG Mowers, Jim Pearson's Transport to name a few.

We also give a 'thumbs up to the growing band of 'walkers'  who voluntarily pick up rubbish.

To all of you, FoBC(CC) and your community says thank you, and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.