Award 'gives us the enthusiasm and encouragement we need': Karlie Irwin | Video

The Pay It Forward founder said she was shocked to become the fourth in a string of women to receive the honour since 2015 when Shirley Sugden received the award.

Denise Wilson took out the award in 2016, followed by Barbara Bloomfield last year. 

“It’s really nice to see local women being recognised,” Ms Irwin said.

“I was just grateful for the nomination, that’s special in itself, I never imagined that I would win it because there were so many great nominations and they all deserved to be there.”

Pay It Forward reached a milestone in 2017 when it opened its much-anticipated crisis accommodation facility with the help of community donations and in-kind labour and supplies from several businesses. 

But it was also a tough year for the not-for-profit’s Glenroi Avenue community shed, which provided food and household items to people in need.

Three break-ins and growing financial strain forced the facility to close in November. 

“The closure of our head office really hurt, everybody felt so disappointed, so it certainly reinforces that we’re going to keep going and that people want to see Pay It Forward here,” Ms Irwin said. 

“That certainly gives us the enthusiasm and encouragement we need.”

She hoped 2018 would bring a new community shed location and continued timebanking, lawnmowing, employment inclusion and work-for-the-dole programs. 

“We’ve got a couple of new exciting programs we’re rolling out this year,” she said. 

The list of nominees for the award included many of the stalwarts of Orange, among them immediate past mayor John Davis, She Rides founder Sue Bonar, Orange Pony Club’s John Kinghorn and Orange Camel Races organiser Graeme Eggleston.

Mr Kinghorn received an appreciation award in the category. 

She thanked her 30-strong team of volunteers and the committee.

“There’s no words to describe the way I feel about this team, who really saw my vision,” she said.