A GP who dedicated years to raising awareness of a debilitating disease was presented with the Cook Community Medal.
Sutherland Shire doctor Karen Crawley, whose daughter Kara suffers from mitochondrial disease, was presented with the award by Cook MP Scott Morrison at a ceremony celebrating the role of volunteers.
Mitochondrial disease is hard to diagnose and is often missed by doctors. There is no cure.
Mr Morrison said Dr Crawley was chosen for the award in recognition of her "passion and unceasing work ethic" in raising awareness of the disease through the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (AMDF)
"Dr Crawley has made an extraordinary contribution as a volunteer and tireless campaigner with the AMDF," Mr Morrison said.
"This is made even the more remarkable given her daughter suffers from the debilitating condition. Not only has Dr Crawley dedicated her life to helping raise her daughter and support her family in the battle against the disease, she has also made it her mission to assist others in the community living with this condition."
Dr Crawley said she hoped the award would help raise awareness of the disease.
"It is frustrating [for people] trying to get diagnosed. When they do they are told to go home and live with it, or die from it," she said.
Dr Crawley said her daughter Kara was excited to get up on stage after having just been discharged from hospital.
"A huge thank you to the people who nominated me and to everyone else in the community," she said. "They do a hell of a lot and it makes you realise how many people are out there doing an incredible job."
AWARD RECIPIENTS
The 2012 Cook Community Award winners:
Irene Anderson — Kurnell Public School P&C
Carole Byrnes — Friends of Hazelhurst
Greg Crumblin — Cronulla RSL Sub Branch
Roslyn Cunningham — Sylvanvale Foundation
Jane Hall — Australian Breastfeeding Association
John Harris — The District Singers (Gymea Catholic Church)
Kim Hawkins — Gymea North Public School P&C
Mary Hook — Miranda Salvation Army
Edda Leembruggen — St Luke’s Anglican Church, Miranda
Robert Lovell — North Cronulla Surf Lifesaving Club/Kurnell Public School
Daphne Mitchell — Meals on Wheels, Sutherland
Wendy Mullooly — Sutherland Hospital Cardio Rehabilitation Department
Nola Nutt — Parent to Parent Association
Loga Rengasamudram — Gymea Community Aid & Information Service
John Slade — Kirrawee Probus Club
Darren Thorne — North Cronulla Surf Lifesaving Club
Betty Thorp — Sutherland Bowling and Recreation Club / Club Kirrawee
Colin Ryan, Jan Vance and Joan Mok — Miranda District Neighbour Aid
Robert Bull and Louise Brown — Miranda RSL
Sub-Branch Youth Club
Barry Mawer, David Lovell and Wendy Lovell — Shirelive
Anne Heptinstall, Charles Harrison and Lucia Collison — St Joseph’s Primary School
Judith Evans and Maureen Eyles — Sutherland Early Support Service
Frances Gammie and Sue Cameron — Thomas Holt Village
