The 2012 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll was launched in October by Troy Grant MP, Parliamentary Secretary and Member for Dubbo, at the NSW Rural Women’s Gathering held in Parkes.
This year’s Honour Roll includes 126 inspiring women nominated from a range of services such as Red Cross, the Cancer Council, Hospital Auxiliaries, Bush Fire Brigades, Meals on Wheels and Rescue Services. Their stories reveal just some of the ways volunteers are ensuring rural communities remain vibrant, enjoyable and sustainable places to live.
Local Armidale resident and UNE student, Jo Newton, was nominated by the Zonta Club of Armidale Inc for her active participation and leadership on the Young Farmers’ Council and with the Armidale branch, and with the Farming Futures Project.
“I feel very humbled and honoured to be recognised in the 2012 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. Since I moved to Armidale in 2008, I’ve been involved in a range of community focused groups and committees. I find my involvement very rewarding and have had the pleasure of getting to know a wide variety of people also passionate about making positive changes in their community.”
“The Zonta Club of Armidale was delighted to nominate a young woman who is making a difference through her volunteer work,” said Karen Tromp, President of the local group.
“We were inspired by her presentation at a recent club meeting, where she emphasised her commitment to rural communities.”
The annual Hidden Treasures project, which began in 2010, is an initiative of NSW Department of Primary Industries Rural Women’s Network and is supported by Women NSW and the NSW Centre for Volunteering. NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Community Engagement Unit Manager Sonia Muir said the initiative provides an opportunity to formally recognise the valuable role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than five million people who contribute more than 700 million hours of community service across Australia.
