Hidden treasure's project nominates local women

Deepwater’s Trudy Cooper and Glen Innes’ Yvonne Lightfoot were recently nominated along with 106 other rural women for the Honour Roll which was launched by Bronnie Taylor MLC at Gather in the Glen.

The Hidden Treasures project is an initiative of Department of Primary Industries’ Rural Women’s Network.

Trudy Cooper has spent 10 years on the Deepwater SES as well as eight years as community first responder volunteer ambulance service.

She also teaches scripture at the Deepwater Public School.

Trudy’s volunteering journey was inspired as she was fortunate enough to receive assistance.

Trudy said it is important that women have the support of their families, like her own hubby and kids.

“It’s very humbling to receive this nomination, I’m just blown away,” she said.

“It is very nice to know you have impacted someone’s life.”

“The quiet achievers make the biggest difference.”

“I have been fortunate to have had fabulous mentors such as Colleen Smith in the SES and Kerry Trow from NSW Ambulance.”

“I’m very grateful for the support both these ladies have been to me and I'm sure that have shown too many other ladies in the community. “

“The Deepwater SES are a wonderful team, we all need each other to get the jobs we are called to do done.”

“I'm most grateful for each and every person that pulls on the orange uniform to serve our community.”

Trudy does have aspirations to join the ambulance service one day.

When asked about nominating someone for next year’s honour roll “well I really hope to.”

Yvonne Lightfoot has been involved in Girl Guides and joined the Voluntary Aid Department while she was still at school.

After this time she became a nurse and joined the Christian Nurses Movement where group of nurses would take people with disabilities on day outings.

Yvonne has lectured with the Red Cross and worked with the RSPCA and still does dog obedience training sessions.

Yvonne’s passion is working with people with disabilities and she worked at the Sheltered Workshop and is now a full time carer.

“I think there are a lot of people who deserve this more than me,” she said.

“Being a volunteer is the most rewarding thing you can do.”

“But if you’re doing it for this sort of recognition you aren’t doing it for the right reasons.”

“I’ve had a wealth of knowledge spanning over my entire life by being involved.”

“I have had a lot of fun over the years.”

Yvonne said she would think more about nominating someone for next year’s honour roll.

Rural Women’s Network Project Coordinator Allison Priest said the initiative provides an opportunity to formally recognise and celebrate the valuable role of volunteers in rural communities.

“It is a way of publicly saying thank you to our rural women volunteers who are part of the five million people across Australia contributing more than 700 million hours annually to serve their communities,” she said.

“There are many inspiring and dedicated women who support others and we believe it’s important to publicly acknowledge their contribution.”

“Without these committed women, many groups, organisations and charities would struggle to survive.”

Bronnie Taylor MLC said it’s really important to recognise women’s contributions.

“Women just get on with it; they often fly under the radar,” she said.

“They don’t think this is anything special.”

Bronnie said rural women have a vital role to play in the social fabric of communities.

“Women really are pioneering and these women are staying in our communities,” she said.

“It’s special in the country because they really want to be included and want to make it better.”

“The honour roll is a great thing because it is ageless; it reflects that everybody has something to give.”

 “I’d really like to encourage people to nominate someone, to recognise and appreciate our volunteers and let’s make it our Hidden Treasure Roll.”

Nominations for 2016 Honour Roll will open May 9 and close July 29 2016.