Minister pays tribute to Reserve Trust 'unsung heroes'

Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, has paid tribute to the 6,000 volunteers who manage around 700 public reserves across New South Wales, describing them as “unsung heroes”.

Speaking during National Volunteer Week, Mr Kelly highlighted the remarkable achievements of two long serving trustees - Mr Alex Cork, of Dorrigo, who passed away earlier this year after serving on the Dorrigo Showground Trust for over 54 years from 1954 to 2008, and Arthur Napper, who continues to serve on the Booyong Recreation and Flora Reserve Trust near Byron after 47 years.

“It is appropriate to recognise these unsung heroes,” Mr Kelly said.

“They support metropolitan, rural and regional communities through the system of Crown reserve trust boards. It’s a system of public land management that has worked successfully for over 150 years.”

Mr Kelly highlighted how the Keneally government recognised the work of volunteers through the annual Crown Reserve Trust Award, sponsored by the Land and Property Management Authority and part of the Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

Volunteers who served 10 or more years as trustees were also recognised through the presentation of long service certificates, he said.

Find out more about National Volunteer Week on the Volunteering Australia website.