Seniors honoured for service of a lifetime
A colourful Thirroul artist, a long-serving Landcare volunteer and a dedicated community activist are among this year's Local Senior of the Year award winners
A colourful Thirroul artist, a long-serving Landcare volunteer and a dedicated community activist are among this year's Local Senior of the Year award winners.
Local legend Judy Bourke, the president of Barracks Art Studios Thirroul, was honoured for her outstanding contribution to the arts. Judy's diverse art practice includes printmaking, sculpture, artist’s books and textiles, and she finds inspiration in everything from women's achievements to climate change.
"As a passionate visual artist, I am happy to promote a cultural activity that benefits me personally and contributes to the positive development of our community," Judy said.
"I am fortunate to be able to continue my professional practice of creating sculpture, printmaking, textiles and artist books at the Barracks Art Studios Thirroul with five other artists."
On the last weekend of March, Judy and fellow studio members – Graham Sinclair, T S Zaracostas (Skye), Frank Nowlan and associate member Mignon Steele – will open their work spaces to visitors as part of the Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival. From 10am-4pm on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday 29th, seize the chance to explore the Barracks studios at 1 Church Street and buy paintings, prints, sculptures and more.
Judy Bourke featured on the May 2024 cover of the Illawarra Flame. At right: one of her artist books.
Long service to Landcare
Merilyn House was awarded for her "unwavering commitment to preserving our natural world". The long-time Helensburgh resident is most proud of what her Landcare group has achieved at Helensburgh Creek.
"We had our first workday there on 16 September 1993," Merilyn said. "We cleared all the lantana and other weeds and planted trees supplied to us by Wollongong Council. Over the years we had a couple of setbacks. Horses being left there to graze on the grass and our plantings. Deer have also been a problem destroying many of the trees we planted.
"I decided that I needed to get some formal training so did three TAFE courses over the next six years in bush regeneration, environmental management and other related subjects. This helped a lot in the early days of Helensburgh & District Landcare.
"We still continue to work at Helensburgh Creek but our members are now registered with Wollongong Council’s Bushcare, so technically a Bushcare Group at that site."
Then and now: A view of Helensburgh Creek circa 1993 and the same creek in March 2026, after three decades of bush regeneration work. Photos: Merilyn House
Merilyn said the weeds along the creek have changed over the years.
"One of our main weed problems there are Arum lilies. We work there two Thursday mornings a month and dig out lots of Arum lilies still. They are coming down the creek from the area across the road, what used to be called the Chinaman’s Gardens.
"I received a compliment recently from a lady with children at the primary school. She thanked me for all the work there and said how much her children enjoyed playing around the creek."
Merilyn has also organised local Clean Up Australia Days for about 30 years and is pleased to see there is now less rubbish around.
Merilyn House, holding an invasive arum lily. At right: rubbish collected at the 2026 Clean Up Australia Day.
Convenor gets community talking
Helensburgh's Warwick Erwin was awarded for his "passionate advocacy at council meetings and dedicated leadership as convenor of Neighbourhood Forum 1".
Warwick has led NF1 for the past decade. It's a volunteer role that involves running a monthly meeting for local residents to discuss council matters, writing reports for the Illawarra Flame and spending about a day each week corresponding with Wollongong City Council, forum members and government agencies.
As convenor, he's proud of keeping residents informed, building good relationships with council staff and sparking conversation.
"Because of reports in the Flame, the questions get asked. Where previously, there was no way they knew about what was going on, until council had done something and they found out about it," Warwick said.
"I've got the community talking. I've got the community asking questions. And sometimes I've got the community yelling and screaming at me. But they're getting involved."
Maryanne Stuart MP presented Warwick Erwin with a certificate as part of the NSW Seniors Festival, which this year was themed "Live Life in Colour".
Two council projects – the upgrade of Helensburgh Pool and the design of the town's new library and community centre – have proved controversial recently and Warwick said the debate has been misunderstood as residents "whingeing".
"That's the wrong way to think about it. They're feeding back … trying to get something done that should have been done a long time ago."
Maryanne Stuart MP recognised the northern suburbs residents' exceptional service at a special morning tea on March 10 at Heathcote Electoral Office.
The Local Senior of the Year certificates are presented as part of the NSW Seniors Festival. Also honoured in Heathcote were Cheryl Harrison, for over 40 years of devotion as a foster carer; Julie Keating, for tireless work with National Parks and Wildlife Services; Bob Delaney, for services to basketball; Mary Van Gestel, for charitable works; Garry Richards, for organising the Engadine Carols; and Glenn Nicholas, for volunteering with Relay For Life.
