KNOWN for her humble generosity and community spirit, Shirley Sugden was brought to tears when she was awarded the Orange Citizen of the Year on Monday.
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Mrs Sugden was presented with the award at the Australia Day ceremony in Cook Park and said she was shocked to be named the Citizen of the Year.
“It’s such an honour I’m just overwhelmed,” she said when she was presented with the trophy.
“I get pleasure from every little thing that I do no matter how small, I don’t look for rewards.”
Now aged in her early 80s, Mrs Sugden was born in Orange and continues to help those around her on a daily basis.
In her nomination, Mrs Sugden was described as the glue that holds communities like Orange together.
“There’s not a week goes by that doesn’t see Shirley looking after someone’s garden, pets or children and, almost without fail, Shirley will thank them for the opportunity to help out,” the nomination stated.
She also supports several community groups including the Orange and District Historical Society, the City of Orange Eisteddfod Society and the Orange Regional Conservatorium.
She has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for seven years and volunteers each fortnight at the Holy Trinity Church Parish Office.
Mrs Sugden also takes a nursing home resident to a Wednesday morning church service, another she takes grocery shopping and to appointments. She does a fortnightly school pick-up of a year 6 student and has regular social meetings with a teenager, now in his last year of school.
Overcome by emotion Mrs Sudgen kept her speech brief and said she was not used to limelight when she was approached by family and friends after the presentation.
“I was shocked, absolutely shocked,” she said.
Among the many people who gathered to congratulate her were her sons Aiden and Tim.
“She does so much, she doesn’t realise how much she does, “ Aiden Sugden said.
tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au