Celebrating our inspiring women volunteers
Janice Harris and Amorette Zielinski added to Hidden Treasures Honour Roll
The volunteer work of two dedicated local women has been recognised this past week, with Janice Harris and Amorette Zielinski added to the NSW Government’s Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.
An initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Rural Women’s Network, the honour rolls recognises and thanks inspiring rural women volunteers within our regional communities.
Janice and Amorette were formally presented with the honour by Member for Orange Phil Donato last Wednesday, August 28, at the Duntryleague mansion.
“Janice and Amorette are outstanding examples of the impact volunteers can have on their communities,” Mr Donato said.
“In their own different way, they inspire and support people with initiative and compassion and I thank them for their enormous contributions.”
Janice Harris has been working tirelessly for her community for more than 50 years. She is a founding member of Push For Palliative, which has already secured improvements in palliative care at Orange Health Service on its way to the larger goal of a dedicated hospice.
Janice is also involved with Lifeline where her empathy and compassion are called on regularly, work she carries out alongside her commitments with Orange’s Ronald McDonald House, where she is the media and onsite volunteer.
Janice also has a great involvement in the arts, particularly dance, where her lifelong commitment is well documented.
“I felt very humbled,” Janice said of her inclusion on the honour roll. “I know it's a word that's used a lot, but you do feel really humbled… There are a lot of fantastic people in our community, we've got a wonderful community where people really help.
“We've got wonderful services – I mean Foodcare for example, is an amazing organisation, and Ami’s Central West Mums has been fantastic support for so many women of varied ages…
“So it is… humbling — I'm using that word again — but it is. It's such an honour and there were some really lovely, kind words spoken about us today and I think we both really felt a little emotional about that, but I love volunteering. I do 25 hours a week and I love it!”
Amorette Zielinski is the driving force behind Central West Mums, an online platform she established in 2016 after seeing a need to connect and support other mothers like herself, From a simple Facebook group Central West Mums has become an important online resource for thousands of local mums, and a community where they can feel supported and connected.
“ It's incredibly humbling and it's a lovely experience to be standing beside another amazing woman, Janice Harris, who does so much in our community,” Amorette said.
“I do enjoy what our [Central West Mums] community has become. I love that two of the most important things that I started with are still the case several years later, which is valuing trust and also growing support for other women in our community.”