2012-Hidden-Treasures-Honour-Roll

carmel la rocca [Griffith]
When Carmel was 10 her parents migrated
from Italy to Griffith. She grew up on a farm and
helped out as farm kids are so often required
to do. After marrying she raised her family and
established an architectural design business in
Griffith. Over the years Carmel engaged with the
local community and has always volunteered her
time generously. She established the Multicultural
Council of Griffith 22 years ago and is the current
President. Through the Multicultural Council, and
in response to community needs, Carmel set up
the migrant settlement and bilingual services,
community cultural festival and continues to work
on targeted projects which give ongoing benefits
to the community. She has been Past President of
Rotary and during her term established the Rotary
markets. As a member of the Italian Museum
Committee, Carmel continues to help with the
festa delle salsicce and festa della repubblica.
She has been Secretary of the Citrus Growers
Committee and continues to help a wide range
of people whenever they need assistance. I
believe Carmel would volunteer about 20 hours
per week across committees, projects and
helping community members in general. She
believes that volunteering on worthwhile projects
strengthens and enriches the community and its
people, giving them positive outcomes, diversity,
a sense of belonging and shared understanding.
lynne lahey [Wattle Flat, near Sofala]
Lynne was born in Marrickville in 1943. She
moved to Wattle Flat in 1989 with her second
husband and joined both the Sofala Rural Fire
Service and the State Emergency Service in
1990. Lynne was Secretary and Deputy Captain
of the Rural Fire Service for 10 years. When the
Ambulance service joined forces with the State
Emergency Services to provide medical services
for outlying places, Lynne was one of the first
to do the training to become a Community First
Responder in 2006. She is on call by pager and
phone, totally on a volunteer basis, 24/7 on a
week on and week off basis. Lynne organises her
social life around her weeks off and won’t do
anything that takes her far from home during her
on-call weeks. She is a keen member of our local
Garden Club and at our fortnightly get togethers
can often be whisked away on an emergency call.
Lynne asks for nothing for this total dedication
and insists she does it to help people and ‘put
something back’. It is for these 22 years of
selfless volunteering that I nominate Lynne as a
Hidden Treasure.
catherine lane [Griffith]
Cathy was born in Leeton. She trained as a
Registered Nurse in Sydney and also worked at
the Griffith District/Base Hospital in many different
areas. Cathy loves her volunteering and helping
people. She enjoys meeting new people and most
of all likes to feel of use to others. Cathy volunteers
for many organisations such as the Griffith Blood
NSW HIDDEN TREASURES HONOUR ROLL 2012 | 23