Tireless Community Volunteer Finds Citation Is Just The Ticket

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday May 9, 2000

THE job of a parking patrol officer is not about revenue raising or being a mean and nasty person, Dorothy Heath says.

The Cessnock grandmother enjoys her job as a special constable with the Lower Hunter parking police, but believes there is a lot more she can do for the community ? such as helping to put out fires.

Mrs Heath was honoured last week for her work with the NSW Rural Fire Service protocol team.

NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Phil Koperberg presented the Cessnock fire communications centre deputy captain with a citation for the work she has put into organising and conducting award ceremonies, funerals and other functions for the service.

`It was a great honour to be recognised but it's not something you expect or set out to get,' Mrs Heath said.

When she is not wearing her fire brigade or parking officer hats, Mrs Heath can be found volunteering her time to the Cessnock district hockey and cricket associations.

Later this year she will carry the Olympic Torch and work at the Games as a volunteer.

`It sounds pretty tiring but I don't think I'd have it any other way,' Mrs Heath said.

`I've lived in Cessnock all my life, which has been fantastic, and I just like getting involved in the community.

`I really enjoy my job, but I'm not the mean and nasty type that some people think.

`I'm not out there just to raise revenue, I'm out there to raise community awareness, improve safety around schools and to give everyone an equal share of parking space.'