Sapphire Coast News

Mayor Tony Allen was in Eden this week to present a Bega Valley Shire Medallion to volunteer Bill Knock.

Mr Knock, of Bega, was unable to attend the Medallion presentation ceremony in July this year due to ill health so Cr Allen made a special arrangement to present it at a morning tea in the Eden Community Aged Care facility.

Cr Allen said that without Mr Knock’s dedication to the Bega Valley Regional Gallery over 10 years it is unlikely that it would have been able to open much of the time.

”Bill started as a gallery ‘sitter’ at the suggestion of a friend, taking his turn at the front desk answering inquiries, supervising visitors and providing valuable public contact,” he said.

“Soon he found himself in charge of the sitters’ roster, co-ordinating the volunteer team and as well as doing his own shifts he ensured the gallery remained open by filling in when other sitters were unable to attend, often at very short notice.

“He also maintained the visitor number statistics, so essential to funding applications.

“Until his retirement last year, Bill was an invaluable asset to the Gallery and one that is sadly missed,” Cr Allen said.

“He was known for his constancy and his willingness to take on any task as much for his organisational skills.”

Cr Allen said he was always pleased to honour the volunteers who made such an enormous contribution to our community.

“These are the people who help the wheels of local government to turn – without them we would be unable to provide many of the facilities in the shire, such as halls, sportsgrounds, the Gallery and the libraries,” he said.