Hi Landcarers

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP presented Hidden Treasure certificates of recognition to Margaret Haddin and Judy Unger this week.

It was my pleasure to nominate Margaret for the Hidden Treasure Roll in 2020 and an equal pleasure to find that Judy was also receiving her certificate of recognition on the same day.

Margaret has been such a valuable member of the Central West Lachlan Landcare Committee and contributed her skills as treasurer over that time. She has been a massive support for me in my role and to the wider Landcare movement.

We are always keen to have involvement from interested community members in activities or even on the Committee itself. As a not for profit organisation, we rely on support from the community and funding bodies.

The 2020 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll was launched by The Honourable Adam Marshall MP, Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales. 104 rural women were recognised for the contribution they have made through volunteering across the State.

The Hidden Treasures roll is an annual initiative of Department of Primary Industries’ Rural Women’s Network, recognising the outstanding efforts of women volunteers in NSW and promotes the valuable role of volunteering to the community.

This important tribute captures inspirational stories, documenting and celebrating the unpaid work of women who are ensuring the viability of so many important and crucial community groups and charities such as emergency services, the arts, environment, social justice, education and sport organisation, and so many others within rural and regional communities.

The intent of the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll is to improve recognition of the important and diverse roles women volunteers play as key participants within NSW rural communities and that their stories will encourage others to take on volunteering roles.

In NSW annually there are almost 1.7 million volunteers, who give more than 241 million hours of voluntary work. The value of this contribution is estimated in excess of $2.4 billion to the State’s economy.

Many charities, like Landcare, would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to many areas of society. Acknowledging volunteer efforts can build self-worth amongst individuals and accelerate community spirit.

A little bit about Margaret…..Margaret Haddin grew up in South Sydney.

After marrying her husband Rob, they moved to Georges Hall and in 1979 made the move to Parkes and established an engineering business. Rob and Margaret raised four children in Parkes. She has tirelessly supported their local business and Rob on their property at Cookamidgera, which they purchased in 1983.

She has selflessly contributed her time to Landcare, both locally and regionally over the past 10 years, through roles of treasurer and chairperson for Central West Lachlan Landcare Inc, and on a district level with Cookamidgera Landcare group, assisting with the treasurer role.

Margaret was also a part of the 2011 NSW Landcare & Catchment Management Forum in Parkes, once again taking on the role as treasurer for the event. Recently, through her involvement with Cookamidgera and Community Landcare Inc, improvements have been made to the local hall. Four years ago, Margaret joined the committee for Parkes Meals on Wheels, once again contributing her time and skills in the role of Treasurer.

Margaret has been an active member of the Parkes community for more than 30 years, volunteering her time and knowledge to assist local not-for-profit groups to enable them to support others. She is still contributing endless hours each week to both Landcare and Meals on Wheels.

We greatly value her support and her commitment to her roles that enable so many people and further support our local community.

For further information please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at @cwllandcare.