PORT Stephens has a huge number of community members who go above and beyond.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Eleven of Ports finest were recognised on Australia Day at the Council’s official commemoration ceremony.

Quietly and behind the scenes is where Rotarian and Raymond Terrace community John Chambers prefers to be however on Australia Day he was named the 2020 Port Stephens Citizen of the Year.

John has been recognised for his extensive contributions to the community including a driver training program to help people get on the road and a furniture bank for families in need, among many other initiatives.

John works closely with Di Ball, Port Stephens Australia Day Ambassador who was unable to suppress her joy on the announcement that John was the Port Stephens Citizen of the Year.

John Chambers told News Of The Area, “I find this a little bit embarrassing, but I think it’s important that a person can see that a person like me can do what I do and get the support from so many others who want to do the same thing there is no reason to stand back.”

John is certainly a quiet achiever and that is how John works.

“We are not about building egos, we are about building communities.”

John is proud of his work with the Indigeneous community and importantly his work that contributes to bridging the gap.

“We are working on addressing poverty in the area and bringing the standard of living up.”

In John’s work he not only assists people out of poverty, he does it face to face with them and works with them to change their lives.

“We don’t have clients, we have mates,” he said.

John believes that the work he does is creating a two way street for the future of our community.

The team at the NOTA congratulate John on being named Port Stephens Citizen of the Year and the team that he works with for the good that they do in our community.

By Marian SAMPSON