Former TDR editor awarded OAM

Former TRD editor awarded OAM

As a journalist and former editor of The District Reporter, Christopher Holcroft, could always sniff out a story – but the tables were recently turned when he found himself to be the subject as a recipient in the 2023 Australia Day Honours List.

Lieutenant Colonel Holcroft, RFD (Ret’d) from Liverpool, was recognised for his services to youth and the community with an Order of Australian Medal (OAM). Mr Holcroft has received several awards over the years, particularly while in the Australian Army Reserve where he served for 43 years in Australia and overseas. The latest has been a game changer.

“It means a lot to me,” Mr Holcroft said.

“The Australia community has recognised the work of people like me for the services that we do.

“It’s not service for self, but service for others. I believe in that and I am so thrilled I was recognised.

“It shows that anyone can be recognised, but also it also recognises the work we do for others.”

Mr Holcroft, has worn different uniforms throughout his life – either as a member of Scouts Australia, NSW State Emergency Service, Illawong Bush Fire Brigade, the Australian Army Cadet and more recently heading up the communications and media unit of the Australian Naval Cadets as a Commander.

He joined the Scouts Australia in 1968 and eventually held different adult roles since 1974 that saw him become a leader. Since 2014 he has led the Canterbury Vale District Venturer Unit and 1st Burwood Unit.

In 1974 he enlisted in the Australian Army Reserve and in 1980 he became a commissioned member until 2015. During that time he headed the Australian Army Public Relations Service for Australian Cadets.

Since 2021 he has been the Director of Communications and Media, Australian Navy Cadets.

“My whole work in my life has been to look after youth and to guide them through all sorts of adventures and that’s mainly in scouting…I have been guiding teenagers for a very long time.

“I love to help push the boundaries with youth and show them they can excel if they try.”

Mr Holcroft and his wife Yvonne raised their boys, and was more than familiar with the challenges of teenagers.

He has written six fiction novels – three aimed at boys.

“So often I have seen teenagers, mostly boys not knowing how best to utilise their time.

“I wrote three adventure books for them using an unlikely teenager as the hero he never wanted to be, but the hero a nation needed.

“My hope is the books ignite a fire in youth to have more fun and adventure in our great outdoors.”

His direction in writing fiction was prompted by the centenary of scouting in Australia.

He penned ‘Only the Brave Dare’ and ‘Canyon’ in 2008 to mark the centenary.

“That was my contribution,” Mr Holcroft said.

“I am the only Australian scouting leader to write books on scouting.”

He has been a Venturer Scout leader for more than 35 years in both NSW and Victoria. He also was the creator of the annual Dragon Skin camp for NSW Venturers. Today, it’s become an international Easter camp with scouts from New Zealand taking part.

Mr Holcroft’s affinity with writing, seems to be in the blood.

“One could say I was born for it…my grandfather, M.H. Holcroft, was an author and editor from New Zealand, he wrote 37 books.”

His grandfather’s son from another marriage, Anthony Holcroft, continued with the tradition, he wrote 26 books.

“I have another 27 books yet to beat him.”

Mr Holcroft has juggled many interests including working as a journalist and editor. He worked for several metropolitan daily and community newspapers. He also played an integral role as the founding editor of The District Reporter, which was launched as a weekly on June 17, 1998.

Australia Day ambassadors share their stories

Individuals and families can expect a host of activities to mark January 26 in their local areas, but one of the standout key events is the Australia Day ambassador’s address.

This year’s theme is ‘Reflect, Respect and Celebrate’ the Australian spirit and our diversity.

The ambassadors all volunteer their time – and each has an inspirational story and journey that they are keen to share along with the successes.

Camden’s ambassador, Jason Sotiris, founder of Supertee will be speaking about his “personal and rewarding journey” in creating the charity that provides garments for children in hospital.

It all started by his own experience trying to change his one year-old daughter who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer just after her first birthday.

“I care deeply about helping others while they’re living through equally challenging times. When you change how kids look and feel during their hospital treatment, you can have a positive influence on their frame of mind,” Mr Sotiris says on his website.

The charity took off in 2016 and has raised $500,000 and donated more than 8,000 Supertees.

Liverpool’s ambassador will be Jo Brigden-Jones a former Olympian and now motivational speaker.

Since 2004 Ms Brigden-Jones a former sprint kayaker has represented Australia every year in international competitions all around the world. Her highlight was racing at the 2012 Olympic Games in London where her K4 crew placed 9th. She also has 42 Australian National Titles to her name.

Clyde Campbell AM, founder of the Shake It Up Foundation will be Campbelltown’s ambassador. Mr Campbell who has Parkinson’s, didn’t want to sit back and be the guy with the condition. He wanted to be known as the guy who did something about Parkinson’s. In 2011 he launched the foundation with one mission – to increase awareness and funding in Australia targeted at finding better treatments and ultimately a cure for Parkinson’s.

Founder of the KYUP! Foundation, Mel Thomas, is Wingecarribee’s ambassador – her goal is to end the cycle of violence at a grassroots level. Ms Thomas draws on her own 15 years’ experience in martial arts and has workshops for young women and now young men talking about martial arts and empowering their own safety. It also about lifting the lid on “intimate partner” and domestic violence.

KYUP! pronounced key-up - is a Korean martial arts power shout that translates to ‘the spirit of self-protection’ and it’s Ms Thomas catch-cry.

Warren Kermond OAM will be Wollondilly’s ambassador. The entrepreneur/entertainer has been involved in every aspect of the entertainment industry for more than 50 years, both in Australia and abroad. He has featured in theatre, television and has also staged his own productions.

His son and grandson are continuing with the family tradition. Expect to hear fascinating stories from Mr Kermond.

Jason Sotikis

Jo Brigden-Jones

Mel Thomas

Warren Kermond, OAM

Clyde Campbell, AM

Better dental care, energy price relief, secure housing – ahead of NSW election

The NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) highlight energy price relief, better dental care, and more secure and affordable housing as key issues for South West Sydney.

NCOSS has put forward eight recommendations for policymakers to consider, in a bid to better support vulnerable citizens.

The recommendations respond to the situation in South Western Sydney, which according to NCOSS’ 2022 Cost of Living Survey of low-income households, is seeing:

60 per cent in Inner South-West in housing stress;

31 per cent in Inner South-West experiencing a negative change to their housing arrangement (such as rent increase, eviction, damage to home);

33 per cent in Outer South-West going without medication / healthcare, and;

27 per cent in Inner South-West going without a meal

“The events of the last three years haven’t been felt evenly, and we all witnessed the dramatic divide in Sydney where people in South Western Sydney were treated as second-class citizens,” NCOSS CEO, Joanna Quilty said.

“We know it’s low-income households and disadvantaged communities who have borne the brunt, which is why we need investment that wards off widening inequality and entrenchment of disadvantage.

“We have reached a tipping point where families are being hit by rising costs, stagnant wages, and on top of all that, seemingly never-ending natural disasters.

“Social services are on the frontline supporting these families, and we’re seeing firsthand the toll that it’s taking. We need urgent and purposeful action to combat these pressures.

“We are calling on policymakers to endorse our Policy Platform and work together to build a fairer NSW.”

The eight recommendations include:

1. Respond to rising energy prices: Increase cap on Energy Accounts Payment Assistance vouchers to $1,600 per year; 2. Improve access to dental care: Double funding for public dental outreach services; 3. Make renting more secure and affordable: Replace no grounds evictions with a range of specified reasonable ground; 4. Invest in social infrastructure so essential support reaches those in need: Provide core funding for neighbourhood centres and other similar services; 5. Enhance safety, security and wellbeing for women impacted by domestic and family violence: Construct social housing for the 4,812 women and their children experiencing domestic violence; 6. Bolster children’s safety, social development and educational outcomes: Increase investment in the Targeted Early Intervention Program by 25 per cent; 7. Limit harm caused by pokies on vulnerable communities: Mandate use of a cashless gaming card across NSW venues operating pokies, and; 8. Strengthen sustainability of the NSW social services sector as a growth industry and key employer of women: Extend standard contract terms to seven and 10 years for rural and remote communities.