When the Shark Alarm rang out at Pointsbet Stadium last Friday night as the Cronulla Sharks took the field, it was Terence Fitzsimmons who had the honour of sounding it.
Perched up on the Aramex 'lifeguard tower' in front of the Peter Burns Stand, the Round 7 volunteer of the week watched his first game of Rugby League, having been recognised for his exceptional work as a driving mentor for Sharks Have Heart 2023 Giving Partner, Gymea Community Aid and Information Service (GCAIS).
After spending 32 years as an International Qantas flight attendant, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, Fitzsimmons developed a love for different cultures. He now dedicates his afternoons to volunteering with the GCAIS’s drivetime program, assisting refugees and migrants to obtain their driver’s license.
For the past five years, his role has involved taking learners on supervised lessons to practice their safe driving skills and improve their understanding of road rules.
“I take learner drivers out for an hour and a half once a week or so and just give them a bit more confidence and direct them in safe driving practices,” Fitzsimmons said.
“Because they don’t have access to a vehicle at home, Gymea Community supplies the car and it’s garaged at The Tradies.”
The program plays an instrumental role in helping migrants and refugees gain independence, improving their job prospects and allowing them to commute with ease, rather than having to rely on public transport.
Fitzsimmons brought to light the impact of the program on the mentees, when he shared one client’s story.
“There was one client I had, who left home at 7 o’clock in the morning and did the school drop off with her children on public transport,” he explained.
“She had to drop her high school child off first and then get back on the bus again, and then drop her primary school child off, and then get back on the bus and go back home again, and then do it again in the afternoon. It was a two hour chore for her.
“That was the reason she was going for her license, for the ease of driving her children to school rather than doing it all via public transport,” Fitzsimmons said.
Across Australia, it is estimated that over 5-million people volunteer and to show appreciation for their tremendous work for the many organisations and sporting groups in need of their support, Sharks community and sporting partners will nominate a ‘Local Hero’ as Volunteer of the Round.
The community contributions of each Volunteer of the Round will continue to be recognised throughout the season, with their deeds and those of their club or organisation promoted through the Sharks website and Sharks Have Heart social media channels.
