14 OB I T IARY FOUNDER AND LONG TIME CEO of Coast Shelter, Laurie Maher, died on 4th May 2025. Born on 20th July 1938 he moved to the Central Coast with his family having been appointed Superintendent of the Mount Penang Training School for Boys at Kariong in 1970. From an early age he had a desire to be a priest, the Catholic faith was his guiding light. However, his life took a turn when he met Helen, his wife to be, and became a teacher working with troubled youth. As his daughter Karen said, “his faith was not just a part of his life. it was the very foundation of it.” At Mount Penang, historically known for its harsh disciplinary regime, he changed the style of management with the aim of reforming those who had fallen through the cracks and helping get them back into mainstream life. He opened the extensive property up to the local community and encouraged people to become involved in its activities. A passionate rugby union player and supporter he established the Kariong Rugby Club with players from the local community and the ‘boys home’ joining the local competition. He was club President for many years. He was also President of NSW Country Rugby Union and was made life member of NSW Rugby Union where he also served as President. With close friend Gavin Shepphard, from his rugby days, he founded Coast Shelter a non-profit service for the homeless in 1992 offering refuge for women and youth as well as serving free meals in Kibble Park Gosford once per week. Coast Shelter would become the region’s leading provider of refuges for men, women and youth from Norah Head to Umina Beach. Over the years Coast Shelter would help thousands of people in desperate need of help. In 2000, with the support of the Central Coast Leagues Club he established a restaurant to feed the homeless in one of their properties in Donnison Street, Gosford staffed with volunteers feeding those in need. Subsequently this was moved into Coast Shelter’s Coast Community Centre in Mann Street where their kitchen prepares and serves thousands of meals every year. He held the position of CEO until his retirement in 2018. He was Director of the Central Coast Leagues Club for more than 20 years and Treasurer for five years and was a Director of the NRMA for five years. In 2004 Laurie Maher was elected to Gosford City Council and was Mayor from 2007 until 2012. It was during his term as Mayor that Gosford Council introduced the first plans for the revitalisation of the Gosford waterfront with the Gosford Challenge project the goal being to realise Gosford’s potential as a world class waterfront city. The final Gosford City Centre Master Plan, ‘Our City, Our Destiny’, was developed with the community over a 24-month period including a six-day intensive design workshop involving all stakeholders. In 2010 he received the Order of Australia Award for his services to the community. He also received the inaugural Darkinjung Medal for his work with Aboriginal youth. A tireless crusader against homelessness and domestic violence he was named one of the Central Coast’s Most Influential persons in 2018. Laurie Maher devoted most of his life to raising the issue of homelessness to public awareness and to taking practical steps to help people. He is survived by his wife Helen daughters, Cathy, Mary and Karen and sons Paul, David and John and grandchildren. Vale Laurie Maher OAM 20 July 1938 - 4 May 2025 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW JUNE 2025
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