Saturday 28th September saw a CityServe convergence on Cooks Hill Surf Club, Bar Beach. The first of six surf clubs over five weekends in the Newcastle LGA experienced a transforming facelift.
This project was a unique partnership between Newcaste City Council, Surf Lifesaving, business community and the local church. After months of preparation we saw around 60 people arrive 7.30am for their briefing and a bacon and egg roll. At 8am this team of volunteers headed by Russell Cunningham from Life Church were placed in zones around every external scaffolded wall and a portion of the interior. Remarkably by morning tea the entire building had almost a full coat of paint on it!
As another volunteer team rolled in for the midday shift as the morning volunteers enjoyed a snag sanga pretty happy with their efforts.
By 3pm Saturday three quarters of the work had been completed in what was a thoroughly enjoyable and productive day.
Sunday 7.30am saw another volunteer team role in and they kept coming, by 2pm the entire project was completed, including extra work done on the inside.
Newcastle City Council project manager Jason Cleare (who along with his family volunteered the entire weekend) saw the fulfillment of great lead up work. Club member John ‘Jockey’ Wilson was grinning from ear to ear thankful to all involved. Newcastle City Councilors Andre Rufo, wife Sandra and Councilor Lisa Tierney all contributed with the brush and applauded this community initiative!
With a massive contribution by the business community this CityServe project was an outstanding example of church and community working and moving together.
This weekend we move to Dixon Park Surf Club which is currently under way!
Serving together,
Rick Prosser
OCT