GREAT Lakes mayor Jan McWilliams has been named this year’s NSW Government Local Woman of the Year.
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One of the state’s longest serving females in local government, Cr McWilliams has notched up an impressive 20 years work in the community, and was last year elected mayor for an eighth consecutive term.
Previously Cr McWilliams has been given the Emeritus Mayoral Award and been named Local Government Woman of the Year. Cr McWilliams was presented with her award during this year’s Myall Lakes Seniors’ Concert at Club Forster on March 7.
Maureen Turner from Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Manning Great Lakes was given a Community Service Award for her selfless contributions to society.
An active and tireless working member of RDA since its inception in the early 70s, Maureen is a former State president, coach, manager and mentor.
For a second successive year the free opening concert was a sell-out, attracting 750 senior members of the community.
Now in its fourth year, the series of concerts is staged in Forster and Taree, and funded by the state government with support from Great Lakes Council, Taree and Forster clubs and local businesses.
Joining the large crowd were local Member Stephen Bromhead and Minister for Ageing John Ajaka. Mr Bromhead announced the government had already pledged to support the concert in 2017.
“From the reaction I saw, with people singing along to old tunes they haven’t heard in a while, tapping their feet and smiles everywhere, I am certain everyone had a good time,” Mr Bromhead said.
Close to $2500 was raised by the Great Lakes Women’s Shelter during the Forster concerts, and more than $1200 by Manning Valley Push for Palliative Care at the Taree concerts, which between them ran six raffles donated by The Sicilian Restaurant.