Fay Brooker, who has given more than 28 years service to the community through the Sutherland Shire Lioness Club, has received the top honour in annual awards for people “who make such a difference”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison hosted the Cook Community Awards at Wanda Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday, December 8.
Mr Morrison established the awards in his electorate 11 years ago to “celebrate quiet and selfless achievers in our community”, and a ceremony is held at the end of each year.
Thirty-six people were acknowledged for their contributions, with Mrs Brooker presented with the Cook Community Medal.
Together with her Lioness colleagues, Mrs Brooker has helped raise more than $1 million for various charitable projects, actively supported the Cook Community Classic and has been involved with the North Cronulla and Elouera surf life saving clubs.
Community service runs deep in the Brooker family.
Mr Morrison said the Cook Community Awards “acknowledge the people in our community who go above and beyond caring for others, especially those less fortunate”.
They also recognised “the volunteers who devote countless hours to our local sporting clubs, churches and schools”.
“These people don’t do it for the recognition or notoriety, they just get on with it,” he said.
“Whether it is volunteering at the local sports club or helping out elderly neighbours, they make such a difference.”
Mr Morrison said his office was overwhelmed with worthy nominations from across the Cook electorate.
The MC for this year’s event was Year 10 Endeavour Sports High School student, Jaiden French.
Jaiden came to the school from Armidale, in north-western NSW, stays at Kirinari Hostel in Sylvania and is a part of the Endeavour Clontarf Academy.
