Latest News
Woombah acknowledges stalwart’s contribution
At the grand age of 89 years, Joy Phelps is still on the executive committee of the Woombah Residents Association (WRA), an organisation she helped establish 24 years ago, not long after moving to the area.
On Monday November 21, at WRA’s last general meeting of the year, Councillor Karen Toms presented Joy with an honorary life membership certificate and a bottle of wine, on behalf of all present, who thanked Joy for her dedicated service to the community.
Joy, who is WRA’s vice president, served as secretary for most of those 24 years, says WRA’s secretary, Jennifer McIndoe.
Jennifer said that Cr Toms outlined, at the meeting, Joy’s leadership and achievements, which included upgrading the recreation reserve with playground equipment, a barbecue and amenities shed; and the establishment of “safer speed zones through the village, footpaths, bus shelters, boat ramp and, more recently, street lighting at the Iluka Road-Pacific Highway intersection”.
“Not being one to retire quietly, Joy and Joan are still running their coffee shop business, which has been the venue for WRA meetings throughout the quarter of a century this community group has been meeting … and enjoying their famous Woombah Coffee,” Jennifer said.
“This shows us the dynamic energy she is capable of, that had her in her later years, not only working to improve the local community, but also juggling a nursing career at the Lismore Base Hospital, as well as setting up the Woombah Coffee Plantation with her partner Joan.”