TESTAMENT to the wonderful volunteer work done by people in our local shire, Cootamundra has six women listed in the 2014 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.
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Amongst the honourees are Anne McNally, Samantha McNally, Diane Williams, Renae Worboys, Hannah Orr and Yvonne Forsyth.
The special publication, now in its fifth edition, plays a unique role in recognising the dedicated and inspiring efforts of women who volunteer in their communities across rural, regional and remote New South Wales.
Minister in charge of the role, our own state member Katrina Hodgkinson, said volunteers are an essential part of community life, particularly in smaller towns where facilities and resources can be limited.
The Hidden Treasures Honour Roll was officially released at a Rural Women’s Network function in Coolamon earlier this month, attended by ladies from across the state.
Back to our own inspiring women, Anne, Sam, Di and Renae are all founders of the Cootamundra Community Soup Kitchen.
The kitchen celebrated their fourth birthday in July this year and continues to play an important role in the local community.
Upwards of 50 people regularly attend the kitchen which offers a free meal every Wednesday to those in need out of the Uniting Church Hall.
The Honour Roll describes that the kitchen came about to “provide comfort, support and fellowship to disengaged and disadvantaged local people who were in great need - whether physical, social, spiritual or emotional”.
Often the meal they provide is just a small part of what the Soup Kitchen does to help. The friendships attendees form and the fellowship they receive is often the most important thing, particularly for marginalised members of the community.
Each of these dedicated ladies incorporate their Soup Kitchen committments into already busy lives, both in terms of family and career, but they do it because they enjoy it.
As well as coordinating volunteer rosters, donations, food ordering, meal planning and financial management each of these four women are involved in preparing the meals and regularly sit and share a meal with someone, providing friendship and companionship to those who need it most.
The ladies were pleasantly surprised and honoured to be named in the list, which included 153 women from across the state.
“I was tickled pink,” Di exclaimed!
“None of us do what we do for all of this but it is truly an honour that someone took the time to nominate us,” she continued.
“This must be handed to everyone who supports the kitchen, from the volunteers to the church to those who donate food and produce and all those who attend the kitchen,” Renae said.
As the Soup Kitchen goes from strength to strength the ladies are now branching into catering to help fundraise for the kitchen. While so much is donated and they are truly grateful for everything, there are always food items which need to be purchased.
To this end, the ladies are behind a number of fundraising efforts to continue a regular income for the kitchen. They had a stall at the recent Wattle Time Fair and held a very successful wood raffle over winter, just to name a couple of the fundraisers they are involved in.
The Soup Kitchen will now go into recess for the school holidays but will be back Wednesday, October 8.
Follow the Coota Community Soup Kitchen on Facebook for more on what they are up to, their page is always updated and new volunteers are most welcome at the kitchen.
Yvonne Forsyth
Yvonne was born in Cootamundra and attended school in the town, and later the Presbyterian Ladies College in Goulburn.
She married, lived on the land and, with her husband, raised two daughters.
After the death of her husband she managed the property for 19 years until her retirement.
Yvonne has been involved with many organisations over the years, beginning with those at her daughters’ schools and the Wallendbeen Red Cross Branch.
Her association with the Presbyterian Church began with her teaching Sunday School and taking school scripture lessons, and it has endured since.
In 1998, Yvonne became a founding member of the Cootamundra Centenary of Federation 2001 Committee and assisted in the establishment of the Cootamundra Heritage Centre.
Since that time she has been a committed member of the Heritage Centre Management Committee, taking her turn on duty, attending meetings and working bees, conducting tours for visitors and curating exhibitions.
Other organisations in which Yvonne has participated include the Country Women’s Association (more than 40 years), View Club, CADAS, Meals on Wheels, Cootamundra Turf Club, The Smith Family, Tumut Vital Call and the University of the Third Age.
She also participates in a hospital visitor program.
“When Yvonne sees a need in the community, she always feels that she can contribute,” the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll read.
Hannah Orr
HANNAH Hannah was born in Western Australia and raised in Clarencetown, moving to Cootamundra four years ago.
Two years ago she approached Council staff to volunteer at the dog pound and has since given many hours to assist in the welfare of all animals at the pound.
She introduced a network of rescue organisations to Council officers and works to ensure that every animal that comes to the pound stands the greatest chance of being re-homed.
She voluntarily temperament-tested animals and instigated a Cootamundra Pound Facebook site and a Friends of Cootamundra Pound website.
She also assisted Gundagai, Harden and Young Pounds in re-homing animals.
She has assisted at Riding for the Disabled and has taken dogs to the local nursing home as part of the Pets as Therapy Program.
“Hannah spends countless hours volunteering her expertise and love of animals and her efforts have resulted in many animals having loving homes,” the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll read.