1. 2012 2013 Compliments Register Quarter 3 - Hastings Council

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Compliments to Staff Register
Date Staff Member/Team Writer Reason for Compliments
02-Jan-13 Danniella Nocelli Hayley Harris I am writing to provide a formal compliment on the service my husband and
I experienced this morning at the Glasshouse Box Office.
We were hoping to purchase tickets to the Melbourne International Comedy
Festival as a Christmas present, and were served by Danni. Although we
couldn't actually purchase the tickets because we are not Glasshouse
members, Danni suggested a gift card accompanied by a flyer for the
event. Her ingenuity was only the beginning of what I would describe as an
exemplary customer service experience. She was kind, well-spoken,
professional, patient, knowledgeable and personable.
I have managed large customer service areas in previous roles, including
Macquarie University, and can identify a genuine star when I see one.
I do hope that Danni is formally recognised for the energy and pride she
brings to the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie
03-Jan-13 Jim Maguire
Library staff
Karen Bulgin
January, February, March 2013
I would like to acknowledge the huge contribution the library makes to the
health of our local community. Thank you Jim to you and your staff for
maintaining such a good service and facility
03-Jan-13 Jim Maguire
Library staff
Gloria Hill
Always found staff ready to help and the availability of new books is
excellent . Couldn't do without our Library.
03-Jan-13 Peter Jenkins
Grant Burge
Fiona Sainsbury
Beryl Moon
Thank you to staff for arranging to remove the large piece of machinery
from the road side near my property after recent road work.
03-Jan-13 Malin Toft Kevin Keogh Thanks to Malin Toft for assistance with a kerb and guttering matter in
Kendall. The recent installation will help with the stormwater issue.
07-Jan-13 Waste services, Compliance Michael MacArthur
Congratulations on your decisions to at least trial the main street parking at
2 hours and as well the placing of extra rubbish bins. So what I'm saying is
it is much better for us business wise and a more enjoyable experience for
the customer/tourist.

07-Jan-13 Gary Randall
Bud Fairhurst
Peter Ostler
Michael Smith
Stella Hughes
Once again Shoreline Drive is repaired. I commend all the staff for their
ongoing trials and tribulations. It must be one heck of a job to please
everybody.
07-Jan-13 Paul Mepham Dorothy Geaney Glasses fell into drainage system. Paul Mepham came out and retrieved
the pair of sunglasses from the drain. Most grateful for his assistance.
08-Jan-13 Ian Chetcuti Brodie Rafferty This is a shout out to a parking inspector named Ian. When I approached
you in Port's CBD late last year, I did not expect your persona to be as
pleasant as it was. I thought you were really polite, and your conduct was
well and truly what us rate payers expect from our council employees. If you
want to see a legend, look in the mirror, mate.
09-Jan-13 Paul Matesich Robert English On boxing day I spoke with Paul regarding a vandalism issue. He accepted
my report with great respect and concern.
09-Jan-13 Theresa Foster
PMHC Staff
Brett Gallagher
Salvation Army
Thank you for again supporting The Salvation Army in the Port
Macquarie−Hastings region by organising the collection of gifts from staff.
The gifts donated have been placed in hampers and given to families who
have needed assistance through our Welfare Office over the Christmas
period. With your generous help, these families have been well provided
for. Please pass on my thanks to everyone from all the sections of the
council who donated items and cash. Thank you for supporting your local
community.
10-Jan-13 Marg Duffy Shelley Morris I would also like to add our support to the role of Community Development
Officer which has of late been held by Ms Marg Duffy. Marg has done a
remarkable job in fostering the Rural Halls Network and allowing those of
us who are volunteers in the regional areas of the shire to come together,
exchange ideas, offer support and further the development of our
communities. This role is also important in that it is able through its
relationship with other government bodies bring to our attention the
availability of grants which these days play such a big part in the ongoing
success of volunteer organisations like our own.

10-Jan-13 Tim Atherton Michelle Coad I just wanted to thank you for your advice and assistance with this process.
Again I very much appreciated your availability and quick responses to my
queries.
15-Jan-13 Parks Staff Steven Ryman A compliment to the staff on the mowing of the park/reserve at Telegraph
Point. Please pass on thanks to the gang.
17-Jan-13 Mike Olzomer Leisa Ferguson Recently reported a broken latch on a gate at Bain Park playground. Very
impressed with the promptness of service to repair the damage. Well done
guys for doing a job with such speed and efficiency.
17-Jan-13 Paul Mepham Ian Gibbs A compliment for the roads/footpath staff who attended to my road
request in such a swift manner. Within 1 day a witches hat marker was
placed at the site and within a week the concrete had been poured and
barrier mesh installed whilst the concrete set. Very impressed with how
quickly this matter was rectified as it posed a potential hazard to
pedestrians especially children and the elderly.
17-Jan-13 Wayne Lenard John Burman A few days ago I lodged a report that there is a pile of rubbish dumped
downhill off Tuppeny Rd at Flynn's beach. I walked past this spot again
yesterday and was pleased to see that the rubbish had been removed.
Please pass my thanks to those responsible.
18-Jan-13 Mark Ready John Beers The service provided by Mark from the Lake Cathie Water Dept was
excellent. His professionalism and customer service was of a very high
standard, Well done to council for their excellent service.
18-Jan-13 Paul Dymock
Waste Management staff
21-Jan-13 Bud Fairhurst
Peter Ostler
Michael Smith
Margaret Durkin
Faye and Terry Schollum
I am writing this email to say thank you to the staff out at the Waste
Management Facility. On visiting this facility a number of times over the
Christmas period I have found the staff very lovely. I would like to
especially say thank you to Pauly whose cheerfulness and helpfulness was
very much appreciated. I have found that Pauly couldn't do enough to help
and throughout maintain a smile on his face.
Thank you from Stewart Lane and surrounding residents, potholes repaired,
great job.

23-Jan-13 Brett Jeffrey Sydney McRoy Re CRM 1576/201 thanks to Brett Jeffery for promptly taking care of a tree
issue, they are working on removing it as we speak. Very impressed about
the efficiency of Council and its staff.
23-Jan-13 Steve Brown Deborah Davis Happy with the work the road crew did in Ocean Drive Kew. They have done
a very good job. Refers to CRM 383/2013
24-Jan-13 Gary Randall
Bud Fairhurst
Michael Smith
Peter Ostler
24-Jan-13 Steve Chant
Paul Cook
Lindsay Shepherd
Terry Hollis
Scott Grove
Rodney Dutlow
Chris Madden
Please pass on compliments to Gary Randall for a job well done in
removing the stones at Yarranabee Road and the good job Council has
done when they have redone this road. Refers to CRM 1291/2013
To express thanks to Steve Chant for his prompt action regarding a request
for garden maintenance.(CRM 28464/2012) The job was actioned
promptly and efficiently, cheers.
24-Jan-13 Jason Edwards Kevin Ellis I wish to acknowledge the prompt and thorough response to my inquiry by
Mr Jason Edwards. He contacted me by phone to discuss the issue and
then subsequently forwarded me the documentation I requested.
25-Jan-13 Jason McDonald Sally Chapman A big thank you to the road crew that have repaired Costigans Road. This
unsealed road required a lot of work and the staff did a great job.
29-Jan-13 Water staff Rosie Bolton I'm visiting relatives in Port Macquarie. Yesterday they took me
to the Cowarra Dam. I was so impressed at the way you have made it a
beautiful spot for people to have a barbeque. We spent Australia day at the
dam. Congratulations on your good work.
30-Jan-13 Library Services Jody Aiken I just wanted to say thank you for your books at the beach initiative. What a
fantastic idea. My daughter and I borrowed three books and two magazines
between us. It gave me the opportunity to read a book I wouldn't otherwise
have read.
31-Jan-13 Brett Jeffrey Patricia Dunn So pleased with the new turf that was laid in Commodore Crescent, thank
you very much.

31-Jan-13 Library services
Independent Newspaper
comment
Thumbs up to the Wi-Fi network at the Glasshouse. It is the best Wi-Fi
coverage in Port.
01-Feb-13 Fernley Hagelstein Alan Madigan Thank you to the whole team involved in this process of sweeping streets in
Wauchope. The concern was dealt with quickly as well as the
correspondence and follow up that had also occurred. Keep up the good
work and he hopes we receive many more praises in the future for the good
work that we do.
05-Feb-13 Bud Fairhurst
Michael Smith
Peter Ostler
Kerin Levy
I wanted to thank Council and the staff involved with the road repairs for
fixing up the roughened road patch located between the Vacation Village
and Broadwater Gardens.
05-Feb-13 Roads staff Betty Boyd Just a short note to express my appreciation for the work being done at the
Kew intersection. In the course of my work I spend a lot of time going
through that intersection, thank you.
08-Feb-13 Roads staff Dianne Darwon Thanks to the workers for filling potholes in Racewyn Close quickly and
efficiently.
08-Feb-13 Roads staff Colin Munro Great job by staff filling potholes in Hibbard Drive.
08-Feb-13 Bud Fairhurst
Michael Lewis
Kelly Stronnell
A compliment Council on the fantastic service relating to a pothole in Bonny
Hills. The pothole and other potholes in the street were filled within 24
hours.
13-Feb-13 Merv Flanagan Paul Goss A thank you to the driver of the Grader that graded this road. An
exceptionally good job done, the grader is a great machine operator.
14-Feb-13 Michael Lewis Richard Hillman Thank you to the two council workers that gave assistance after an
accident. The staff assisted with applying a bandage. Very grateful for the
consideration that they showed and would like to thank them.

15-Feb-13 Roads staff Colin Baker A huge thank you so much for the work recently done on Black Creek Rd. It
was the best job in years.
15-Feb-13 Brett Jeffrey Schalk W Van Der Merwe Thank you to Brett for a wonderful job in removing a tree that was going to
fall near my home in Hart St. Brett and some guys were out on site and the
tree was removed.
18-Feb-13 Michael Lewis
Bud Fairhurst
Wayne Anderson
Thank you for the Prompt response to my email and the repairs done to Mill
Hill. It was very good service.
21-Feb-13 Mike Olzomer Roger Barlow Mike Olzomer has been a great communicator following up on the items
we discussed regarding the Reserves on behalf of the Bonny Hills Progress
Association.
21-Feb-13 Maree Smith Roger Barlow Maree Smith has proven to be an excellent ‘long term’ communicator with
regard to water quality monitoring in Duchess Creek the and adjacent
beach areas.
21-Feb-13 Tony Hayward
Peter Besseling
21-Feb-13 Amanda Buckley
Brett Jeffrey
Rod Geering
Joel Green
25-Feb-13 Joel Green
Adam Jarvis
Rod Geering
Roger Barlow
Neil Dwyer
Katrina Mesher
Congratulations to you and Peter on providing an empathetic hearing at our
meeting with you in December, and particularly on your subsequent
documentation of the issues discussed, and the feedback on actions
proposed/taken. The latter is an absolute first for us as normally we end
up doing this and sending it to whomever for confirmation.
A compliment to Council staff on their swift action on a storm damaged
tree in Nulla Close yesterday. Very impressed with the total service from the
call centre operator to the team who worked on the tree for having the tree
attended to within 4 hours and the follow up call to check our service was
fine.
Can you please forward my thanks and compliments to Rodney and the
staff who came and removed a tree that was hanging dangerously across
my fence. They were quick and had the tree removed in no time. Wonderful
job.

26-Feb-13 Dave Hunt Ingrid Moon Compliment to Council Roads guys and also truck driver Dave (Dave Hunt).
On Saturday afternoon Council delivered sandbags to Settlement Point
Road (normally residents have to go pick them up). Also very impressed
that Dave not only delivered the sandbags but got out of the truck and set
up with the residents.
26-Feb-13 Nick Gainsford Catherine Dessiax Thank you so much for the bus seat in Widderson Street. I know it's your
job but it means so much for me to hobble up there and find a seat so I
appreciate this and I guess other people do to.
26-Feb-13 Council staff Rik Whitehead I wish to express gratitude for the helpfulness and assistance of Council
over the past weekend. NSW DPI (Fisheries) had a number of animal
issues in and around Port Macquarie township and the timely assistance of
Council staff to address these issues was appreciated.
01-Mar-13 Fiona Sainsbury George Hatsatouris Thank you for the assistance with delivery of the garbage bin. He was a bit
fired up when he called but the query was handled well and he wanted to
say sorry and thank you for the assistance given.
04-Mar-13 Brett Jeffrey
Ally Coyne
David & Rhonda Wilkie
I would like to take this opportunity to praise your Customer Counter Staff
and Tree Preservation Officer who attended the site within quarter of an
hour of contacting council. (Tree removal Heavenly Ridge Port Macquarie)
05-Mar-13 Peter Ostler
Michael Smith
Bub Fairhurst
Steve Bell
I would like to express my thanks for the swift response from Council to
patch potholes near my property at River Park Rd, Port Macquarie.
07-Mar-13 Ben Roberts Bruce (Wiseberry's) Planners are all very helpful with specific reference to Ben's assistance.
07-Mar-13 Rhonda Harris
Krystel McEwan
Paul Biron
Keith Smith
June Grainger
M Robinson
Many thanks for all the help at the counter.

11-Mar-13 Virginia Cox Michelle Macleod Just wanted to say a big thank you for the things for Aleisha from the
Summer Reading program. She was very excited opening up the envelopes
when she came in from school and loves her prizes. Her certificate will be
proudly displayed on her bedroom wall and will encourage her to keep
reading. Keep up the great work encouraging kids to read. I am sure that
Aleisha will take part in future programs!
11-Mar-13 Michael Lewis Andrew Walmsley On behalf of the residents of Links Crescent, thank you for responding
quickly to our request to remove the blockage from the pipe draining the
drainage reserve on the eastern side of Links Crescent. It took about 24
hours for the water to fall to normal levels and stop the flooding. Please
pass on our appreciation and thanks to the team that did the work.
11-Mar-13 Rhonda Harris Elaine Cant I thought I would have a battle on my hands but Rhonda was excellent.
11-Mar-13 Council staff Geoffrey Beard Many thanks for the great job your staff have done in removing the rubbish
from the recent floods. I refer specifically to our area at the end of the
canal at Settler's Cove - River Park Road. The whole waterfront of the town
is looking good again thanks to your efforts.
12-Mar-13 Steve Jones Nicholas Veech Please pass on my compliments to the water guys who attended a
vandalised water meter at the race club Port Macquarie (CRM
5983/2013). They attended very promptly and did an excellent job.
15-Mar-13 Liam Bulley
Glenn Reece
Jeff Sharp
Tony Hayward
Tim Molloy
Peter Besseling
Council staff
Northside Progress Association Could you please convey to your Managers and their staff on the ground
our very sincere thanks and admiration for their willingness to react so
quickly to our situation and undertake such thorough work on the sites.
We would particularly like to mention. Tim Molloy, Liam Bulley, Jeffery
Sharp, our Mayor and yourself, Tony. Glenn Reece also organised the
removal of the discarded ferry cable in a timely manner and so we can be
assured that accidents have been averted.

18-Mar-13 Michael Lewis Neil Taylor Last Thursday, I contacted Council and sought help in draining a large
volume of backed up surface water which had entered my garage at the
rear of my property in Links Crescent. Within the hour a Council Field Officer
(Mick) attended spoke to me and several other concerned neighbours
similarly affected and quickly identified the cause of the problem as a
blocked drainage system some distance away at the other end of the subdivision.
Mick returned the next day with a back hoe and was able to take
action to clear the blockage and remedy the problem.
I and I am sure my neighbours as well very much appreciate the prompt
action taken and the very professional way in which Council's Field Officer
'Mick' was able to identify the problem and take remedial action- no easy
task given the unusual circumstances. Would you please convey my
appreciation to the Council Officer concerned.
18-Mar-13 Ray Thompson
Graeme Dick
Greg Burke
We are in staying at sandcastle apartments in Port just wanted to say how
impressed we are at the work ethic and quality of workmanship of the crew
doing the pedestrian crossing concreting please pass on our positive
feedback.
19-Mar-13 Julie Priest
Wendy Anson
Port Macquarie Districts Family
History Society
Many thanks and congratulations on yesterday's Seniors Expo event. It was
great. We were very busy all day, with lots of enquiries and interest in our
Family History Society.
19-Mar-13 Robert Krstin Rose Attenborough Thanks to council staff for the works carried out in Anita Crescent. The
weeds have been cleared in street & gutters cleaned. Very grateful &
appreciative.
20-Mar-13 Brian Lean
Ian Smallwood
Trevor McKinnon
Paul Carney
Joe Elford
Boyd Williams
Michael Williams
Fiona and Michael Marsh
We are writing to say a big thank you for the repair of Stoney Creek Bridge
so quickly. We really appreciated your speedy attention.

21-Mar-13 Roads staff Noreen Hill I would like to commend the workers for a great job grading Stoney Creek
Road
21-Mar-13 Fiona Sainsbury John Waite Both Maps received. Thank you for your great service.
25-Mar-13 Jeff Norrie
Rod Geering
Joel Green
Paul Draper
Council recently did a great job removing an overgrown hibiscus plant from
Vine St. Thanks to the parks staff. The tree was huge and the branches
were very dangerous to passing pedestrians.
26-Mar-13 Krystel McEwan June McQuade Thank you so much for being considerate and kind to me on my visit to
Council on 7th March last. You certainly did everything possible for me.
26-Mar-13 Maya Spannari Jim Opdam My name is Jim Opdam and for the past two years I was the instructor at
the Kendall Circuit Training exercises using the equipment provided by
council's Move, Live, Eat Well program. I would personally like to thank you
for the wonderful two years of exercising which I and the couple of devoted
members had. It was much appreciated.
27-Mar-13 Stacey McGrillen
Glasshouse Team
Ray Smyth
Thanks for all your assistance during the promotion of the show. It was
through your efforts that this show had the highest venue percentage of all
venues on tour. The audience was fabulous and gave us a total standing
ovation at the end of the show. Also the venue staff and in particular the
technical staff was most professional and courteous. We all could see how
the venue won it's awards and we'd love to come back and perform there
again one day.
27-Mar-13 Fernley Hagelstein Joan Jarv People are always complaining - but I would like to pass on my
congratulations to the council worker who has done such a wonderful job of
cleaning the streets in the area of Mahogany Hill!! He backed up and
down the street until he was satisfied that our very messy road was
thoroughly clean. Well done!

28-Mar-13 Skye Frost
Glasshouse Team
Bridgette Van Leuven
Sara Holt (Sydney Opera
House)
Thank you to you and the Glasshouse team for a really terrific presentation
of the Message Sticks program. I was really delighted with the quality of
the education performances and while we only anticipated one
performance, two eventuated. Great response. The evening performance
and my opportunity to meet up with the audience and get direct feedback
was also very positive. Well done on getting 100 people to the event -
despite it being a difficult sell. As one audience member said to me, the
quality of work available at the Glasshouse is certainly outstanding - in
particular with initiatives such as Message Sticks are unusual events not
on the touring circuit. It seems the Glasshouse has a strong and steady
following and after the show all were very keen to connect with the artists.
The team at the Glasshouse were wonderful to work with, Skye Frost from
the Education Dept was exceptional and the technical crew were a pleasure
to work with.
28-Mar-13 Recreation staff Lynnette Cobban The Parks staff that worked on the reserve in Jonas Absalom Reserve today
deserve a big pat on the back for the great job they have done. The reserve
can sometimes get in a real mess and it doesn't always get done
thoroughly but this time they have done the whole job, between the trees,
along the edges and clearing up dead trees. Please pass on thanks and
recognition for their hard work.