State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock, Clayton Barr, MP is pleased to announce that Branxton resident Mrs Helen Scott is the 2022 Local Woman of the Year for the Cessnock Electorate.
The NSW Women of the Year awards will held in Sydney on Wednesday 9 March 2022. The annual awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution made by women across NSW to industry, communities and society.
Helen Scott is recognised for her tireless volunteering efforts for many organisations for the past 40 years. Her contribution to our communities is immeasurable.
During her volunteer work Mrs Scott has raised thousands and thousands of dollars for local and national charities including local schools, sporting organisations, churches, the Royal Institute for Deaf & Blind Children, Branxton Lions Club, domestic violence charities, the Cancer Council and Palliative Care.
Mrs Scott began volunteering in 1980 as a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, before she went on to volunteer at Cardiff Public School Canteen and Cardiff Junior Soccer. She has also volunteered for Branxton Lions Club, Women’s Apex Club, and Anglican Opshop.
Mrs Scott has also been responsible for organising many Saturday and twilight markets as fundraisers for various local and national charities including the Black Dog Institute, Jodie’s Place and Friends of Palliative Care.
She has also been instrumental assisting Branxton/Greta Country Women’s Association to run a Biggest Morning Tea event fundraiser for the Cancer Council.
Since 2017 Mrs Scott has also been an active member and then Secretary of the Central Hunter Business Chamber (formerly Branxton Greta Business Chamber.) Her work with the chamber has included organising markets, assisting with the Expo, organising the Governor’s Morning Tea event at Branxton Community Hall and as a volunteer as part of the two day 80th Birthday celebrations of Greta Army and Migrant Camp in November 2019.
It is through these events that Mrs Scott has not only raised much needed funds for charities and our local community but also raised their profile. Her countless hours of dedication is truly admirable.
For the past 10 years and currently Mrs Scott holds the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, Caretaker, Booking Officer of the Branxton Community Hall, fighting hard for improvements for the Hall which have included the installation of solar panels in 2019.
“Helen Scott’s extensive volunteering is a tribute to a remarkable woman who is always willing to lend a hand for her community” said Clayton Barr.
“Helen embodies community spirit and a willingness to help out others” said Mr Barr.
“It is a privilege to be able to acknowledge Helen’s hard work and thank her for her efforts on behalf of our community.”
For more information on the 2022 NSW Women of the Year awards visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw
Media contact: Clayton Barr on 4991 1466