Working in his local community is just something Shane Wicks has always done. And while he doesn’t think the hours he spends helping others is that big of a deal – clearly others do.
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Mr Wicks has been named NSW Public School Parent of the Year, presented with his award during the Public Education Foundation Awards for Educational Excellence ceremony at New South Wales Parliament House.
Currently president of Gerringong Public Schools P&C, the father of three has been a member of the volunteer group for the past 10 years, joining when his eldest child Kirralee started kindergarten.
A former student of the school himself, he said giving his time to help out the school was something he thoroughly enjoyed.
“I am pretty community minded and because I am an ambulance officer I do shift work, which makes me a bit more available to go down to the school,” he said.
“When the kids see their parents involved in the school they seem to get a lot more out of the school environment.
“Being involved with the kids is really rewarding. I am in the school at least twice a week doing different things.”
He said being part of a great school community had made it easy for him as president of the school’s P&C.
“I feel that it is no just me who has received the award, but the whole school. There is a great leadership team there and lots of other volunteers who help and that makes it really easy.
“I am quite humbled by the award.”
When he isn’t at school helping, or working as a paramedic, Mr Wicks volunteers at Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club and he’s been a member of the Rural Fire Service for 26 years.
Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said Mr Wicks was a deserving recipient of the prestigious award. “Shane is highly respected within the Gerringong community and has promoted much more community involvement in the school,” Mr Ward said.
“He has raised an impressive amount of money which has turned the library into an interactive learning space and provided K-2 engine room tables for the effective learning of literacy. He’s also revamped the canteen menu and helped fit out classrooms with iPads, Smart TVs and interactive whiteboards.”