Mr Laurie Maher OAM, has been named the 2019 Australia Day Ambassador for his tireless work providing support for the homeless, and those at risk of homelessness, on the Central Coast.

As the former CEO for not-for-profit charity, Coast Shelter, Laurie has led the development of 10 different programs which work together to end homelessness on the Coast including:

• • Kara Women and Children's Refuge
  • Neleh Women and Children's Refuge
  • Elandra Women and Children's Refuge
  • Rondeley Domestic Violence Program
  • Coimba Men's Refuge
  • Rumbalara Refuge
  • Maya Young Women's Refuge
  • Youth Angle
  • Woy Woy Youth Cottage
  • Wyong Youth Refuge
  • Coast Community Centre

Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith said Laurie’s community advocacy and national pride made him the perfect choice for the role of Australia Day ambassador.

“Laurie’s leadership as the former CEO of Coast Shelter has helped provide accommodation to over 150 men, women, families and youth every night, as well as the provision of over 1,000 free meals every week through the Coast Community Centre.” Mayor Smith said.

“As a former Mayor of Gosford City Council, and award recipient for Services to the Aboriginal Community, Laurie has demonstrated his commitment to community service on the Coast.

“This service and commitment saw him honoured with the Order of Australia Medal in 2010 and we are pleased to bestow Australia Day Ambassador honours on him today.

“Laurie is an outstanding ambassador for the Central Coast and I am delighted that he will join me to help present the Australia Day Awards on Friday, 25 January and will also help officiate at our community events at The Entrance and Woy Woy.

“We invite the community to celebrate Australia Day with us at events right across the Coast.”

Australia Day at The Entrance
Celebrate Australia Day with a stunning ocean backdrop at The Entrance. Enjoy an amazing mainstage line-up including local artists and headliner act, Glenn Shorrock.

The kids can splash around in Vera’s Watergarden or enjoy amusement rides and activities.

There will be a free activities zone with a huge chess set, Mega 4, bowling, sack races and plenty more for the whole family. The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over the water at 9pm.

Australia Day at Woy Woy
Be entertained with children’s activities, zorb balls, food and market stalls, community displays and a great main stage line-up including headliner, The Nevilles.

The popular Lanterns are back with some new and exciting community designs. Join in the spectacular procession of lanterns through the streets of Woy Woy, culminating in three feature lanterns floating on the water’s edge. Enjoy the music from the main stage and finish the night with a bang as the sky lights up with a beautiful fireworks display over the water.

The ‘Including You’ accessibility tent will also be set up at Woy Woy to support people in the community living with a disability, their families and carers, as well as elderly people, parents with prams and others with limited mobility. The tent provides a range of free to hire sensory, vision, mobility and communication aids and supports, plus a ‘safe space’ for retreat to improve the level of enjoyment at community events.

Special event road closures will be in place. Find out more at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events

You can also join in one of the community workshops and help create the feature lanterns:

Peninsula Community Centre - Whale Lantern

• Saturday 12 January, 10am-4pm
• Thursday 17 January, 9.30am-3.30pm
• Friday 18 January, 11.30am-3.30pm

Bookings: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/woywoylanterns

Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre - Boat Lantern

• Thursday 10 January, 10.30am-4.30pm
• Friday 11 January, 11.30am-3.30pm

Bookings: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/kincumberlanterns

Lions Club Community Hall, East Gosford - Pelican Lantern

• Monday 14 January, 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 15 January, 10am-4pm

Bookings: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/gosfordlanterns

NOTE:

Friday, 25 January
Australia Day Awards Ceremony The Art House, Wyong

Saturday, 26 January
Australia Day Citizenship Ceremonies Mingara Function Centre
Australia Day Celebrations The Entrance & Woy Woy

SPECIAL EVENT ROAD CLOSURES:

The following special event road closures will apply:

The Entrance
The below road closures will be enforced from 4pm with no vehicle access or movement until the road reopens at 10.30pm on Saturday 26 January 2019.

• • Marine Parade, The Entrance between The Entrance Road and Beach Street.
  • Marine Parade Carpark, The Entrance.
  • The Entrance Road to be closed at Victoria Street, The Entrance.
  • Coral Street to be closed east of Duffy’s Lane, The Entrance.

Visitors travelling from north of The Entrance bridge are advised to park on the north side of the bridge and walk to Memorial Park. Visitors travelling south to The Entrance are advised to park away from the road closure area and walk to Memorial Park.

Woy Woy
Road closures will be in place from 6am and reopen at 10pm on Saturday, 26 January 2019 – The Boulevarde, Brick Wharf Road in the west from Oval Avenue, Brick Wharf Road in the east to Tennis Court lane

Limited access for residents will be between the hours of 6am and 1pm. After this time the end of Brick Wharf Rd from Oval Avenue to the link road through to the tennis courts and the car park will be closed.