I recently met with volunteers painting Lake Macquarie Rugby Club’s dressing rooms at Walters Park Boolaroo – one of more than 20 projects on this year’s list.

Other projects included refurbishing a child-care centre’s cubbyhouse in Toronto, digging a new garden at Charlestown East Public School, painting the clubhouse at Barton Oval, Belmont, and relocating bench seating at Barnsley Football Club.

It is wonderful to see first-hand the tireless efforts of these fantastic volunteers and the range of tasks they complete for our community. CityServe participants set an example for us all to follow – giving up their own time to help others and make our city a better place.

And our community buildings are not the only ones that benefit.

We also have a strong reputation as a city that cares for and works hard to preserve its environment, something due in no small measure to the enthusiasm and commitment of volunteers in our community.

Since 2008, council has worked in partnership with local Landcare groups to manage hundreds of environmentally sensitive sites around the city.

There are more than 200 Landcare groups in Lake Macquarie who maintain and restore the natural environment through planting, weeding, rubbish clearing and many other activities.

If you would like to get involved with Landcare, or find out more about our Lake Macquarie groups and projects, visit lakemacquarielandcare.org.

At the council meeting on Monday night, the councillors and I had the honour of acknowledging Robert ‘Dutchy’ Holland for his outstanding contribution to Southern Lakes Cricket Club and the facilities at Awaba and Toronto, by formally naming Awaba Oval as Robert ‘Dutchy’ Holland Oval.

Robert ‘Dutchy’ Holland’s contribution to cricket extended well beyond his on-field feats.  As a volunteer administrator with a passion for grassroots cricket, Bob had an enormous impact on the game in Lake Macquarie City.

I am proud to be able to recognise him and his influence by formally naming Awaba Oval as Robert ‘Dutchy’ Holland Oval.