24 residents from across the Cootamundra electorate have been announced as recipients of the 2024 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Award.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke made the announcement to mark the start of the 2024 NSW Seniors Festival, running from 11 – 24 March.
Ms Cooke said the Seniors Festival has been running for over four decades.
“I am just so delighted to join communities right across our Cootamundra electorate, in celebrating the start of the NSW Seniors Festival for 2024,” Ms Cooke said.
“The Seniors Festival is a wonderful opportunity to recognise and honour the invaluable role of the older members of our towns and villages, and show our appreciation for the seniors in our lives, and the countless ways they enrich our communities.
“The seniors in our Cootamundra electorate make such wonderful contributions in our communities every single day. From the local Lions Club, Rotary, CWA, hospital auxiliaries, Meals on Wheels, the list goes on and on.
“It’s so important that we give them the recognition they deserve; of course they never ask for praise or accolades, but it’s really important that we’re able to do that.
“Our seniors bring such wisdom, experience, and vitality to our local communities, and I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating this.
“So during this year’s two week festival, I urge everyone to show your appreciation for the invaluable work our seniors do, and take the time to embrace the opportunity to learn from their vast wealth of knowledge.
“Congratulations to all those who received a Local Achievement Award; your wisdom, experience, and resilience certainly is an inspiration to us all,” she said.
2024 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Award recipients in the Cootamundra electorate:
Jean Maitland, West Wyalong
Barrie Logan, Ganmain
Harry McDougall, Ardlethan
Robyn Ambachtsheer, Cowra
Beverley Rolfe, Cowra
Jim Preston, Stockinbingal
Marianna Halasz, Gundagai
Desmond Manton, Gundagai
Lorraine Brown, Harden-Murrumburrah
Heather Ruhl, Young
Barbara Hislop, Young
Stuart Freudenstein, Young
Bernard Hart, Junee
Paul Armour, Junee
Wayne Heidtmann, Narrandera
Peter Cartwright, Temora
Graham Keene, Temora
Terry Franke, Temora
Neil Crawford, Temora
Greg Gaynor, Temora
Donald Wilson, Temora
Alice Grief, Temora
William Wheatley, Grenfell
Lorna Spackman, Boorowa
For more information visit: www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/seniors-festival
Photograph caption: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke with Local Achievement Award winners Barbara Hislop (left) and Heather Ruhl, from Young.
