take a look around
external links
For more information
contact:
Glen Pereira
Environmental Services
Gwydir Shire Council
Phone: 02 6729 3000
Visit Clean Up Australia website www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au
Nominate A Hidden Treasur in Our Community
Communities in regional and rural NSW have one month left to nominate female volunteers for the 2011 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, with nominations closing 25th August. The initiative formally recognises the contribution women volunteers make to rural NSW and all nominees will be included in this year’s Honour Roll.
NSW Department of Primary Industries Manager of Community Engagement, Sonia Muir, said the initiative is a simple way we can all celebrate and acknowledge the important and diverse roles women volunteers play in regional cities, towns and villages.
“We have so many inspiring and dedicated women living in our communities who volunteer in a range of important areas including health, education, the State Emergency Service, Girl Guides, advocating for Aboriginal people, or helping those with disabilities,” Ms Muir said.
“Women are often the backbone of families and country towns, so their stories need to be recorded to capture the many ways they are tirelessly improving the quality of life in their communities. “Any female volunteers living outside the metropolitan centres of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong can be nominated for this worthwhile initiative, and the process is simple and easy.
“Last year we uncovered 42 ‘hidden treasures’ who were often quiet achievers or unsung heroes in their communities, so this year we are hoping to get at least 75 onto the 2011 honour roll. “Volunteers are so essential to keeping rural communities vibrant, and many charities would struggle to survive without their support.
“There are almost 1.7 million volunteers, who give more than 241 million hours of voluntary service to the NSW community and it is estimated they contribute over $2.4 billion to the State’s economy. “Please help us to uncover just some of these women hidden within our communities.”
Hidden Treasures is a joint project of the Rural Women’s Network (NSW Department of Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services), NSW Centre for Volunteering and the NSW Office for Women’s Policy.
To nominate a rural woman go to www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/rwn or call 0263913620 and we can send you a form.
Nominations close 25 August 2011.
How to nominate someone
To nominate a Hidden Treasures volunteer simply complete the Nomination Form and tell us a short ‘story’ about why your nominee is worthy. All rural women nominated will be included in the 2011 Honour Roll.
NB: Nominations will only be accepted for NSW rural women. ‘Rural’ is defined as anyone living outside the large metropolitan centres of Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
Download a nomination form below or for more information call the NSW Centre for Volunteering on 02 9261 3600 or email: rural.women@industry.nsw.gov.au
Nomination Form (Acrobat File)
Hidden Treasures – 2010 Honour Roll
· Maria Curtis – Tamworth: A lonely and challenging childhood in Campbelltown gave her empathy for those in need. She is currently involved with the Leukaemia Foundation, Cancer Council, Rural Fire Service, WIRES, Relay for Life and St Nicholas Catholic Church Committee for Homeless Children.
· Alvena Fergus – Laurieton: She has worked as a volunteer for Life Line, teaching English as a second language, counselling and supporting people living with AIDS. On retirement Alvena has became involved in community arts volunteer work. She has also encouraged reconciliation initiatives with the local indigenous community.
· Shirley Johnston – Bourke: More than 10 years ago Shirley started a campfire fundraising barbeque during the tourist season which has provided over $130,000 to local health services in Bourke. Shirley is spends at least 80 hours volunteering each month.
· Kerry Jolley – Lismore: Kerry started volunteering in 1984 with the City of Lismore RSL Women’s Auxiliary. She was involved in starting the Richmond Valley Day Club in 1990 which provides isolated and disabled people a day out. Kerry continues to prepare meals, sell raffle tickets and make people feel welcome.
· Sonia (Aunty Sonia) Piper – Brungle: Sonia is a Wiradjuri elder and is an advocate for her people, volunteering time to share Aboriginal culture and traditions. She helped establish Brungle Health & Aboriginal Community Care Centre in 2005. She is also a member of Brungle – Tumut Local Area Land Council, Community Working Party, and the Tumut Local Health Network.
· Jan Roberts – Wagga Wagga: Jan has volunteered her expertise to advocate for the vulnerable and marginalised members of the community. She helped establish the Wagga Wagga Women’s Health Centre which has provided support, counselling, health education, and social action for over 30 years.
· Beryl Sears – Cooma: Beryl is still volunteering at 84. She joined Red Cross in 1945 and has volunteered with Ladies Probus, the Dalgety Country Women’s Association, the Dalgety Show, the Cooma Show, St Vincent de Paul, her local church. She is a District Bowls office bearer and umpire. Beryl has made Christmas cakes for underprivileged children and cared for an elderly neighbour.
· Colleen Smith – Deepwater: Colleen has been a volunteer for 27 years with the Deepwater State Emergency Service helping with rural fires and road accidents in northern NSW. She also helps with State Emergency Service training sessions, regional events, bookwork, banking and fundraising in the local hotels.
· Lynne Strong – Jamberoo: Lynne volunteers and drives programs which engage young people into thinking about how food is produced. She initiated the ‘Picasso Cows’ project where schools were given a life sized fibreglass cow to decorate. Lynne formed Dairy Youth Australia to deliver education programs about agriculture and natural resource management. She was named Kiama Woman of the Year in 2005.
· Cheryl Vines – Curlwaa: Cheryl lost her Mum at the age of two and had to learn to be self-reliant at a young age. She started volunteering as a teenager and has been actively involved in school committees, Girl Guides and the Wentworth Tennis Club. She has also volunteered for the Darling Junction Country Women’s Association and the 2010 Wentworth rural Women’s Gathering Committee.
· Brenda Writer – Goulburn: Brenda is a highly respected member of the Home-Start National Voluntary Home Visiting Service in the Southern Tablelands which offers friendship and practical support in a confidential and non-judgemental manner to families. Brenda has worked tirelessly supporting 10 families over the past seven years within the Goulburn community.