2012-Hidden-Treasures-Honour-Roll

in the Kidney Health Australia Kidney Kar Rally
and 2012 is her first year in ‘retirement’. Along
with other members of Kar 2871 her commitment
to this cause has raised funds to assist with the
Kidney Kids Camp. She believes that her greatest
achievement is yet to come – a Forbes Community
Chest. Her vision for the Community Chest is to
raise money for people who need to travel away
for medical treatment. This money would assist
with the many costs associated with travel and
similar expenses incurred while seeking medical
treatment.
rhonda death [Walcha]
Rhonda is a valued volunteer of the Westpac
Rescue Helicopter Service Walcha Support Group
and has been Secretary for around 10 years. She
is the ‘go to’ person for this region. If you need
something you know you can call on Rhonda
and it will be done. She is involved in fundraising
through events such as the annual bike ride,
golf days, bowls days, raffles and would work in
excess of 10 hours a month. Rhonda is the person
who is up making sandwiches at 3.00 am for the
checkpoints on the annual bike ride, who works
all day selling raffle tickets and is still there to
help clean up at the end. She is a true treasure of
our organisation and a valued volunteer. We are
so grateful she chose us to give of her time.
10 | NSW HIDDEN TREASURES HONOUR ROLL 2012
dianne decker [Forbes]
Dianne is a remarkable individual who has
been a tireless and passionate advocate for her
home town of Forbes all her life. She was born in
Forbes and now lives just outside of town on the
family farm with her husband Ray. Dianne was a
founding member of the Forbes Urban Landcare
Group, established a local support network called
‘The Neighbourhood Ladies’ for women living
on nearby farms, and is on the Advisory Board
of the Forbes Medical Service. It is in the area of
disability that Di has made the most significant
contribution, working in paid and volunteer roles
for more than 30 years. In May 2011 Dianne
organised the 30th Forbes Special Sports Day, an
event she started in 1981 when she recognised
a lack of opportunities for people with disabilities
to participate in organised sporting activities.
The event has been the catalyst for a number of
local wheelchair athletes to launch international
sporting careers and has promoted considerable
attitudinal change within local communities to
embrace the full participation of people with
disabilities into community life. Dianne spent
two years as the Regional Director for the House
With No Steps before becoming involved in the
employment services industry in 1994. She has
clocked up 17 years in disability employment
services and in that time has pioneered and
championed the employment of hundreds of
people with disabilities, including Aboriginal
people who have gained jobs in local government,
retail and many other industries in Forbes, Parkes
and across the Central West.