VOLUNTEERS are the backbone of our community so it’s wonderful to see one of the city’s longest-serving volunteers Gail Hayden named Orange’s local woman of the year.
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Of course, Mrs Hayden is well know as a great cook having had many an opportunity to showcase her skills during her 54 years as a member of the Country Women’s Association (CWA).
In fact it was Mrs Hayden who recommended her CWA pal Merle Parrish appear on the hit reality cooking show Master Chef.
Not only did Mrs Hayden, and her CWA colleagues, champion the need to eat fresh, local food, long before it became popular, she has also proved to be a campaigner for a number of other grass roots issues.
Mrs Hayden has been behind the push for speed signs to be erected outside of school zones, reflectors placed on the back of trains and markings on country roads.
In recent times she’s even campaigned for the construction of the Western Care Lodge and the adoption of a 24-hour helicopter service.
A quick look at Mrs Hayden’s achievements shows she really does live by her motto “what you get out of the community you must put back in”.
Mrs Hayden is a modest woman who embodies the very best of what it means to be community minded.
As member for Orange Andrew Gee said during Mrs Hayden’s presentation ceremony, she has been an “unwavering supporter of country people and issues affecting them”.
Minister for Women Pru Goward was right when she said Mrs Hayden embodies the Australian spirit of giving back.
It was wonderful of Ms Goward to visit Orange yesterday and in doing so acknowledge all the unsung heroes such as Mrs Hayden, who do so much for their rural communities.
Let’s hope the wonderful work of women such as Mrs Hayden inspires the next generation of Orange residents to give back as readily as they receive.
