Volunteer with Gosford State Emergency Service, Gerard Price, has been recognised for his 50 years’ service as a Justice of the Peace at a special ceremony at NSW Parliament House.
He was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace (JP) at Darlinghurst in 1972.
“I became a JP to help others in any way I could and as a Justice of the Peace I could do that,” Price said.
“How often do you hear people say: Where can I find a JP?”
He said that also tied in to his motivation to volunteer with NSW State Emergency Service (SES).
“Before I retired, I really did not have an opportunity to join the SES, and now I try to do my little bit,” he said.
“I joined the SES five years ago not knowing much about what was ahead.
“I had wanted to do a first aid course, and to learn how to tie knots properly; and what do you know?
“That was the first thing I was shown.”
Over his 50 years as a JP Price said one of his most memorable moments was when he had to witness the signatures of three brothers and a sister from the one family.
“The first one recorded occupation as school teacher, as did the second, and the third.
“By then I expected the last one to be a teacher too, and sure enough, that was the case.
I think life is full of coincidences.
“Being a JP has not been an onerous chore but a very rewarding activity, just as any volunteering is.”
And his colleagues at Gosford SES say “we couldn’t be prouder to have such a dedicated and selfless individual as part of the family at Gosford SES and appreciate his service to the people of NSW both as a JP and SES volunteer”.
Price was among 110 JPs from all over NSW to be hosted at two special ceremonies on April 10 and 17 at Parliament House by Member for Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch along with other NSW MPs and NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.