By Jan Kofron - Secretary
The weather was very kind to us at the Chapel last Saturday, 22nd January 2022 for the Dharug & Lower Hawkesbury Historical Society. This was our first activity in 10 months and so we had planned a low key event along with lots of fall back positions given the times in which we are living. We welcomed back our current members,17 and 2 returnees.
We were very fortunate to also have Robyn Downham along and to congratulate her on her recent award as Central Coast Citizen of the Year 2022. Robyn has been a member of the Society for many years and has also held committee positions such as Publicity Officer as well as past President. During her time as President Robyn worked tirelessly to ensure we got much needed equipment and a new shed for storage.
Robyn has been working tirelessly in the Lower Hawkesbury River District to improve the access of Spencer and surrounding communities and environs to services that other places take for granted. Her latest endeavours with the new community group River Cares as President has also been recognized.
We used this activity to help Robyn celebrate her Award. Robyn spoke about the work completed at Spencer including the Telstra/Optus mobile tower and the upgraded Spencer Public Wharf which was completed just before the December 2019 bushfires. Since River Cares was formed in 2020 Robyn has been involved in fundraising for the automated defibrillators installed in Spencer and in Marlow, community information days, holding workshops in conjunction with the Central Coast Council and is currently working with Jane McCallum the River Cares Secretary/Treasurer on the Community Led Emergency Response Plan for the Lower Hawkesbury River District.
The Society had on display articles collected by John and Jocelyn Powell ex-Spencerites during their more than 20 years involved in the area researching books and being active members of the Society.
Articles on now departed characters of St Albans and Spencer which featured in local papers were also on display.
The Society congratulated Robyn on her well deserved success and wish her well for the coming year. She will keep us informed on upcoming activities throughout the year.
