Mrs Savage was recognised for her philanthropy at last night’s awards for the 100 Women of Influence, not for the millions of dollars she has given away but for the countless hours and endless effort she has devoted to raising money to improve cancer and other health services.

The judges in the annual Australian Financial Review/Westpac awards have sent an important message to the community in choosing Mrs Savage as this year’s national winner in the category.

It is that we do not have to be wealthy to enrich our community. 

Many wealthy Australians are extremely generous in their support of worthy causes and should be applauded also, but not many philanthropists do what Mrs Savage has done, turn her considerable drive and dedication to mobilising local communities to make improvements themselves.

Philanthropy of this kind, this love of mankind which is reflected in practical actions, is not beyond the reach of any of us.

Mrs Savage would be the first to point out that the millions of dollars she has raised and the tangible results - like the Western Care Lodge at Orange hospital - are the product of committees of volunteers and small donations by many, many thousands of ordinary people.

What the judges have recognised and what communities in the central west understand is that in regional Australia it is the people who inspire and mobilise others who are responsible for achieving great things.

We cannot and should not always rely on government or the benevolence of the super rich, but we can always rely on the philanthropists who ignite the spark of action in our small communities.

Like Mrs Savage they are a product of their communities and we should be intensely proud of her and of them.