Five ladies from Merriwa, Cassilis and Sandy Hollow have been recognised for their hard work and dedication to their communities, each scoring a place on the NSW Government’s Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.
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Suzanne Bibby and Jodie Wilton of Cassilis, Barbara Campbell and Suzanne Duggan of Merriwa and Gwen Meyer of Sandy Hollow were awarded the honorary titles earlier this week.
Suzanne Bibby
Suzanne Bibby is a member of the Rural Fire Service Brigade in Cassilis, where she holds the positions of Secretary/Treasurer, Deputy Captain and Rural Fire Service Association Delegate, Community Liaison Officer, First Aid Officer and Junior Member Coordinator.
On top of all that, she works part time at the Coolah Aged Care hostel and is the mother of nine kids — five of whom are now adults, and four younger ones.
She works tirelessly to help everyone she can, and incredibly hard working.
Jodie Wilton
Also from Cassilis is long-time local, Jodie Wilton. Jodie has actively assisted the Cassilis Rodeo Committee and has been a dedicated employee at the Cassilis Bowling Club for a number of years.
Her committed to ensuring the Club’s continuation saw her driving her own vehicle in her own time to travel to Mudgee once a week to do the banking, purchase goods and perform other jobs, all while raising two young daughters.
Jodie has also been an active member of the Rural Fire Service, the Secretary of the Cassilis Brigade, has given her time to the Gummun Place Hostel and has constantly gone above and beyond her paid
More recently, Jodie was the instigator of the Community Christmas Party for Cassilis, bringing together the small community to celebrate the season — another great success.
Barbara Campbell
Barbara Campbell, of Merriwa, received her award for being a shining example of why local voluntary contribution matters. Fondly known as Aunty Barb, her passion for the care of local youth is undeniably, having been involved with St David’s Uniting Church, local school scriptures and the Auslife Program in the Secondary Department of Merriwa Central School.
Barbara is also the creator of the annual primary school church play. She’s a prime mover in fundraising for St David’s and is involved with street stalls, the Samaritan’s Purse, the local branch of the CWA and Christmas Carols in the Park.
Her enthusiastic involvement as a member of the Festival of the Fleeces Committee for the past five years has also been recognised, with Barbara being awarded the 2016 Pam Power Award.
Suzanne Duggan
Along with Barbara, Sue Duggan of Merriwa is devoted to helping out in her local community. Sue has devoted 19 years of service to the aged community of Merriwa. For many years, she has been Supervisor of Gummun Place Hostel, where she continues to go above and beyond the call of duty, making herself available to staff, medical professionals and residents and their families, regardless of the time of day or night.
As well as this, Sue was recently a finalist in the statewide NSW Regional Achiever Awards in Wollongong, in recognition of her services to aged care and the community.
Gwen Meyer
Sandy Hollow community member, Gwen Meyer is a Hidden Treasure for her ongoing passion for local education. Since starting as a teacher in 1982, Gwen has worked with generations of students and parents in the Upper Hunter region.
Over the course of her career, she has worked tirelessly as a science teacher, head teacher and deputy principal.
Gwen has also been an active member of the school Learning Support Team and served 12 years as Year advisor. She has great compassion, is firm but fair, has high expectations and, importantly, a sense of fun.
Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnson said it is always a great honour to recognise the work of local volunteers.
“These ladies were announced as Hidden Treasures recently by the Department of Primary Industries Rural Women’s Network,” he wrote on social media.
“So many years of dedicated volunteering in Merriwa and Cassilis, all to be benefit of the wider community - thank you all on behalf of our community.”