After agitating for eight years to put the Lower Hawkesbury River District on the map and founding River Cares, Robyn Downham is handing over the reins of the organisation to someone new, although she will remain actively involved.
“I am very proud of how River Cares has developed since its formation in July 2020,” she said.
“River Cares is the point of contact for all the emergency services and other agencies and has earnt the respect of all three levels of government and established a strong relationship with the media.
“River Cares has put the Lower Hawkesbury River District on the map – we are now no longer forgotten, excluded, omitted and ignored.
“The boots on the ground during the March and July floods in 2022 can testify to this.
“One of the first of many River Cares achievements was fundraising for (2) AEDs ( automated external defibrillators) located at the now renamed Anchor Café in Spencer and at the Marlow Public Wharf, and subsequent funding by applying for a grant in conjunction with Sophie Wills from the Community Defib Project for an additional (4) AEDs located in Spencer at Cohens Creek and at the Malaluka Caravan Park, Oyster Shell Road in Lower Mangrove and at the bottom of the Divvy at Greengrove.
“River Cares has grown far beyond anyone’s expectations but it is time for me to step down as President.
“I have been the local activist since 2015 when I started campaigning alongside my counterpart Belinda Repton from Wendoree Park for a mobile tower (which was finally activated early in 2019).
Downham also agitated to Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch in September 2017 for an upgrade of the Spencer public wharf (completed late October 2019), petitioned Central Coast Council in 2019 for new public toilets (completed January 25, 2023) and tackled countless other issues over an eight-year period, as well as being a voice for the Lower Hawkesbury River District.
Downham was named Central Coast Citizen of the Year at the 2022 Australia Day Awards ceremony conducted by Central Coast Council in recognition of her years of work for the communities of the Lower Hawkesbury.
“It is time for me to hand the baton over and it gives me great pleasure to announce that we now have a new President, Marlee Maxwell, and Vice-President, Rory Gibson, for River Cares,” Downham said.
“Marlee and Rory have lived at Gunderman for over two years and have experienced first-hand the impact of extreme weather, losing property in the floods that ravaged their home located on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.
“Marlee and Rory have supported River Cares and donated generously as they see the importance of the work that this community group has been conducting since its inception, not only for Spencer and Gunderman, but for the other river communities in the Lower Hawkesbury River District.
“I will continue as a River Cares committee member as Community Liaison Officer, Publicity Officer and Philanthropy Co-ordinator.
“I will be assisting Marlee ease into her role as the new River Cares President especially as we move into a potentially worrying bushfire season.
“River Cares still needs to continue its journey working to maintain the health, safety and well-being of the residents in this isolated part of the Central Coast LGA but we cannot do this work alone.
“We still require more support and welcome new members to come on board to help us continue developing our Community-led Emergency Response Plan, participate in the CB radio project and help us build community connectivity and resilience.
“I am very grateful that Marlee has agreed to carry the baton for River Cares and to Rory for his ongoing support as the new Vice-President.”