| July 26, 2006 | Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST) | NSW87/2006 |
The Census hitches a ride with the NSW Volunteer Coast Guard
Wherever you are in Australia on Census night - Tuesday 8 August - you count.
Census Collectors are set to take to the waterways of beautiful Port Stephens, joining forces with the NSW Volunteer Coast Guard to ensure all local residents are counted come Census night.
With some residents staying on boats or on properties only accessible by water, local Census Area Supervisor Ron McLachlan made contact with Commander Ian Hollings from the local Volunteer Coast Guard to seek their assistance.
This contact has resulted in the hiring of a member of the Volunteer Coast Guard as a Special District Collector to work on the 2006 Census. They will be responsible for contact with those staying on Broughton Island and people staying in boats on the water.
Coast Guard Port Stephens (NF11) serves the areas north to Sugarloaf Point, south to Newcastle and west to Port Stephens and Myall Lakes.
Census forms will be delivered to local residences, including those staying in more inaccessible places, around Port Stephens from Friday July 28.
NSW Census Director, Sue Phillips, has applauded the cooperation shown by the Volunteer Coast Guard to ensure an accurate count in the Port Stephens area.
“In preparation for the 2006 Census we have been working closely with local organisations and they have been fantastic in helping us get ready for the huge logistical exercise of getting a Census form delivered and collected from every household,” she said.
“From their assistance in counting those staying in places like Broughton Island on Census night to their support overall- we are extremely thankful.
“The cooperation shown to date is a great sign for the Census count in NSW.
“With such a rapidly growing population it is vital that an accurate snapshot of the region is carried out,” Ms Phillips said.
2006 Census- Tuesday 8 August
(Photographs available on request)
Print Page
Print All