Congratulations to the nominees for the Local Woman of the Year Award Jo Allen Nominated by The Hon. Shelley Hancock MP (South Coast) The Nowra Unit Logistics Coordinator for the State Emergency Service, Jo is recognised for ensuring the smooth operations of the unit and the unwavering support she provides to colleagues. The Local Woman of the Jennifer Anderson Nominated by Mr Jonathan O’Dea MP (Davidson) Year Award recognises Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Council, Jennifer is recognised for her long-standing involvement in women who have made local government and her passionate service to her community. outstanding contributions Valda Barton and achieved great things Nominated by Mr Greg Piper MP (Lake Macquarie) in their local area. Valda is recognised for her extraordinary care for others and community advocacy. During her 20-year involvement with Our Community Place, she established classes and instigated a food distribution program. Hayley Bellamy Nominated by The Hon. Stuart Ayres MP (Penrith) An inspiring advocate for people with disability and ambassador for the 2012 Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, Hayley is recognised for breaking down barriers for people with disability. Carol Lynette Beresford Nominated by Mr Chris Hartcher MP (Terrigal) Carol is recognised for her exceptional contribution to the community, as a school teacher, Rotary Club member, Parents and Citizens Association President and volunteer with Bellbird. Congratulations to the nominees for the Christine Bird Finn Callanan Nominated by Mr Barry Collier MP (Miranda) Nominated by The Hon. Carmel Tebbutt MP Local Woman of the Year Award Recognised for her 25 years of work with the (Marrickville) Crossroads Community Centre in Miranda, Finn is recognised for her role at Stepping Christine is dedicated to helping women and Stone House, where she provides a safe, stable children who are victims of domestic violence. and nurturing environment for young She also assists people suffering the effects of homeless people. social isolation, personal trauma and mental health issues. Elizabeth Campbell Nominated by The Hon. Andrew Stoner MP (Oxley) Rhonda Brain Mayor of Kempsey Shire Council, Elizabeth Nominated by Mr Troy Grant MP (Dubbo) is recognised for her dedication to the Recognised for her lifetime contribution community through volunteering and her to education and her community. Rhonda support of numerous sports, business and developed an early-literacy scheme, ‘Paint the community organisations. town REaD’, and led the Birth to Kindergarten Reading Project. Lois Casserly Nominated by Mr Ray Williams MP (Hawkesbury) Betty Breese Founder of The Sunshine Club, which organises Nominated by The Hon. Adrian Piccoli MP social events and provides support for seniors, (Murrumbidgee) Lois is recognised for her dedication to Betty is recognised for her unwavering supporting older people in her community. commitment to her local community through her involvement in local events and community Trish Cerminara groups such as the Rotary Club, Show Society, Nominated by Mr Greg Aplin MP (Albury) Sports Club. A proud Gamilaori woman, Trish is an inspirational community leader recognised Helen Brennan for her work in creating sporting and cultural Nominated by Mr Kevin Conolly MP (Riverstone) programs for young Aboriginal people. Helen is recognised for her commitment to older people. A passionate volunteer at the Lorraine Rose Chambers Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre, she assists Nominated by Mrs Leslie Williams MP with outings, craft activities, food preparation (Port Macquarie) and housekeeping. Lorraine is recognised for her compassion and community spirit including her volunteer work Narelle Burke with The Garage Sale Shop, which raises money Nominated by Mr Kevin Anderson MP (Tamworth) for people in need. Narelle is recognised for the exemplary leadership she shows in her extensive Susan Coghlan community work and the sustainable farming Nominated by The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP business she runs with her husband Bede. (Willoughby) Susan is recognised for her commitment to Muriel Burns improving the lives of people with disability or Nominated by Mr Chris Gulaptis MP (Clarence) mobility challenges. Her business, Carers That Renowned for her unwavering leadership in the Drive, enriches lives by enabling people to Yaegl community, ‘Aunty Mu’ is a mentor to remain active. Aboriginal youth. She is recognised for leading a signage project that gave meaning to Yaygirr/ Yaegl place names in the Lower Clarence. Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Lisa Cottee Dorothy Dixon Nominated by The Hon. Thomas George MP Nominated by Mr Mark Coure MP (Oatley) (Lismore) The first female president of the Hurstville Rotary Lisa is recognised for her inspirational Club, Dorothy has played a major role humanitarian services. Each year, she takes in many community initiatives and events and leave from her private medical practice to is recognised for the active role she takes in volunteer in remote areas of Asia and perform the community. eye surgery. Lynda Dries Iris Crane Nominated by Mr Bart Bassett MP (Londonderry) Nominated by Mr Chris Patterson MP (Camden) Lynda is recognised for her extraordinary Iris is recognised for her remarkable contribution compassion and volunteer work with The Living to the Narellan Jets Rugby League Football Room, a food bank for residents of Richmond Club. Founding the club in 1977 with her in need. husband Merv, Iris has worked tirelessly for the Club and her community. Ulrike Eichmeyer Nominated by The Hon. Anthony Roberts MP (Lane Karen Crawley Cove) Nominated by Mr Mark Speakman MP (Cronulla) Ulrike is recognised for her outstanding Dedicated to raising awareness and community service through her work with local understanding of mitochondrial disease, newspaper, The Weekly Times, her support of Karen is recognised for creating the Australian local events and active involvement with Scouts Mitochondrial Disease Foundation helpline. and Girl Guides. Helen Cummings Charlotte Feldman Nominated by Mr Tim Owen AM MP (Newcastle) Nominated by The Hon. Gabrielle Upton MP Helen is recognised for her advocacy work to (Vaucluse) reduce violence against women. A volunteer Charlotte is recognised for her volunteer work at VOCAL in Hamilton, her book Blood Vows, with breast cancer charities and as an organiser traces her journey towards freedom from abuse. of community events for the Darling Point Society resident group. Patricia (Jane) Cush Nominated by The Hon. Pru Goward MP Judith Galloway (Goulburn) Nominated by Mr Daryl Maguire MP Patricia is recognised for her outstanding (Wagga Wagga) community contribution. In her role as Director Recognised for community leadership and her of Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, she has work with Sureway Employment and Training increased the accessibility of art to the public, and the Committee 4 Wagga Wagga Judith’s particularly children. helped job-seekers reach their full potential. Michelle Davis Sandra Griffin Nominated by The. Hon Robyn Parker MP Nominated by Ms Sonia Hornery MP (Wallsend) (Maitland) Recognised for her community leadership, An active road safety campaigner, Michelle ‘Aunty Sandra’ is an Awabakal Elder, Australia’s is recognised for her outstanding efforts in first Aboriginal audiometrist and now Elder in awareness raising, her work with teenagers and Residence at the University of Newcastle. support of families who have lost a child through a road accident. Recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Awards Polly Grundy Margaret-Anne Hayes Nominated by Mr Bryan Doyle MP (Campbelltown) Nominated by The Hon. Barry O’Farrell MP Polly is recognised for her leadership role in (Ku-ring-gai) youth sports and her work with the Parents Margaret-Anne is recognised as an inspiring and Citizens Association at local schools. She community fundraiser who has raised more than also established the Mark Grundy Oesophageal $150,000 to support the fitness program Cancer Awareness Group. Can Too. Alia Halabi Sandra Hiscock Nominated by Mr Tony Issa OAM MP (Granville) Nominated by The Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson MP Alia is recognised for her 20 years of work with (Burrinjuck) the Zgharta community including organising Principal of Yass High School, Sandra is community events and supporting families who recognised for her dedication to student have experienced loss. welfare, and her fundraising activities to secure improvements to school facilities. Elaine Hall Nominated by Mr Craig Baumann MP Jeanette Holland (Port Stephens) Nominated by Mr Stephen Bromhead MP Elaine is recognised for her dedicated service (Myall Lakes) to the Raymond Terrace and District Historical A committed volunteer, Jeanette is recognised Society where she has been a Research Officer for outstanding contribution to the community for more than 30 years. She also volunteers at which earned her a Medal of Order of Australia Raymond Terrace Library. in 2011. Clarice Hamling Christine Hopton Nominated by Mr Clayton Barr MP (Cessnock) Nominated by Dr Rob Stokes MP (Pittwater) Clarice is recognised for her outstanding President of Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving community service, including nearly 20 years Club, Christine is a role model recognised for with local Parents and Citizens Associations. her extraordinary contribution to the Surf Life She is also an active member of the Minmi Saving movement. Progress Association. Blanche Hughes Dianna Hammond Nominated by Mr Darren Webber MP (Wyong) Nominated by The. Hon Greg Smith SC MP Blanche is recognised for dedicating