One of the duties of MPs across NSW is presenting community service awards to residents who make outstanding contributions to their local area.
Campbelltown MP Greg Warren was particularly pleased to present a NSW Community Service Award to local Aboriginal elder Uncle Ivan Wellington yesterday because he had seen him first hand working for the local community.
Uncle Ivan, who is an Ambarvale resident, is a regular at local community events and regularly conducts smoking ceremonies as part of the Welcome to Country.
“As a Member of Parliament you get invited to a large number of events throughout the community,’’ Mr Warren said.
“More often than not when I am at one of those events, Uncle Ivan is there as well.
Uncle Ivan has championed Indigenous causes for many years and in 2013 had a room at Campbelltown Hospital named after him.
The Uncle Ivan Wellington Lounge provides a private space for Indigenous patients and their loved ones to grieve or gather.
The NSW Community Service Award was presented to Uncle Ivan in front a large crowd who had gathered for NAIDOC celebrations at Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation in Airds.
“His love of the Campbelltown community is matched by his warm and generous personality,’’ Mr warren said.
“Uncle Ivan always manages to make time for a chat and is always keen to spruik Campbelltown to anyone who will listen.
“This is the latest in a long line of awards and honours that have been bestowed on Uncle Ivan and every single one of those awards and honours has been well deserved.
“There is an abundance of selfless individuals who call Campbelltown home – and Uncle Ivan is one of those people.”
