Five local ladies who have made a lasting impression on the local community were recognised at the Hastings Heroines – International Women’s Day event on Thursday, March 8.
Lorraine Chambers, Janice Downes, Sheila Openshaw, Dominica Roebuck and Lesley Tierney were named the region’s inaugural Hastings Heroines at a fundraising event for the Hastings Women and Children’s Refuge at the Glasshouse.
Kelly Lamb, President of the Hastings Business Women’s Network, who presented the event with local MP Leslie Williams, said the Heroines have all worked tirelessly for various charities and community initiatives and are dedicated to improving the lives of others.
“Our MC at the event was former Miss Australia and Channel Nine lotto presenter, Karen Pini, who now runs her own business and lives in the Hastings,” Ms Lamb said.
“Karen shared the inspirational stories of these unsung local ladies who quietly and generously give their time and make a real difference in our community.
“We were also honoured to hear the harrowing yet inspirational story of domestic violence survivor and guest speaker, Donna Carson, who spoke about the importance of services like those provided by the Women and Children’s Refuge.”
Anyone who missed the event can still make a pledge to the Refuge by contacting HBWN President Kelly Lamb on 0431 510 071 or hbwnpresident@gmail.com
Introducing the Hastings Heroines:
Lorraine Chambers has raised more than $100,000 for Sister Marjorie’s soup kitchen with her beautifully presented op shop on Hastings River Drive. After a successful career in interior decorating, Lorraine completed her palliative care and grief and loss training so that she can help those in need through the Port Macquarie Home Hospice Committee and in the Oncology Unit at the base hospital. She has recently established a new charity, “Friends of Mental Health” to help raise funds for the mental health unit at the hospital. Lorraine is also a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and donates her time as a member of Rotary and Probus.
Janice Downes is a gifted and generous lady who combines a love of poetry with a commitment to the community. Janice shares her positivity over the airwaves with her community radio poetry program and has volunteered her time in the Players Theatre Hire Shop. As well as performing for the residents of a number of nursing homes, Janice also visits our local schools to encourage young poets. Janice has also been a Lifeline volunteer, taking calls from people in distress. Janice believes people who are feeling down, depressed and in pain need help to take their mind off these things and laughter and cheers are the best remedies.
Sheila Openshaw became involved in fundraising for mental health when her youngest son developed chronic Schizophrenia and then her older son also developed a mental illness. Over the past 13 years as Group Leader of the Hastings Mental Health Support Group, Sheila has organised countless fundraising and educational events. Sheila speaks to first time carers at the Base Hospital and organises respite for carers through Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW, of which she is a Life Member. She was a founding member of Endeavour Clubhouse and an active member of Port Macquarie Rotary Club, in the role of Mental Health Support.
Dominica Roebuck recently returned from Cambodia, where she assisted with fundraising for the Cambodian Children’s Fund and helped produce a documentary to alert Australians to the plight of children living in poverty. Between her studies at MacKillop Senior College, Dominica worked with the local community to secure significant sponsorships and support for the cause. She also volunteers her time with Saint Vincent de Paul as a mentor for young girls and kids camps leader. On her long list of accolades are the Caltex Best All Rounder Award and the Long Tan Leadership Award, both of which acknowledge the contributions of senior students to their schools and communities.
Lesley Tierney established the Hastings Women and Children’s Refuge in 1980 and remains as President of the Refuge today, over 30 years later. For more than 20 years, Lesley has been President of the Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre Management Committee. She has been actively involved in the St Agnes Parish and assisted in the establishment of Centacare, the Parish’s community services arm.Lesley was rewarded for her commitment to the Port Macquarie Hastings community in 1998, when she was named Hastings Citizen of the Year, and fourteen years later Lesley continues to work tirelessly to benefit the local community.
