2012-Hidden-Treasures-Honour-Roll

while he couldn’t work. I am sure I have only
touched on a few of her caring roles but know she
is a very worthy Blayney Hidden Treasure.
pamela lees [Gunning]
Pam was born in Gunning in 1932 and raised
at the family property ‘Weroona’ shouldering
unusually heavy burdens of family care. She
returned home after boarding school at aged 16
just before her father had a stroke. Pam stayed
on to care for her ailing father and the farm until
he passed away. She married in 1959 and with
Ron raised three daughters. She has been actively
involved in P&C, canteen and Mother’s Club.
Both Pam and Ron were active in the Gunning
Lions Club – Pam was a Lions Lady, then a Lion
in her own right holding various positions. Later
Pam nursed both Ron and her mother until they
succumbed to cancer. She continued to run the
farm on her own for 14 years having lived there
as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and
widow. Pam recently moved off the farm and
into Gunning. She helps with the monthly Lions
markets and other activities. Pam has been a
member of the Gunning and District Garden Club
for many years and is currently President. She
is always available for working bees at village
gardens, pruning, weeding and mulching. Pam
recently climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge which
epitomises her positive attitude to embracing life
full-on and being a terrific role model for a life
well lived in service to her community and family.
When asked why she volunteers, Pam said, ‘It’s
just what you do, isn’t it?’
cheryl lewin [Alstonville]
A devoted wife to Ken and mother of two
adult children, Cheryl has spent a lot of time
in hospitals with her daughter Renee, who
was diagnosed as a child with severe epilepsy
and developmental delay. After seeing an
advertisement on TV, Cheryl spent 10 years as
a volunteer on the Port Macquarie Children’s
Ward under the Association for Welfare of
Children in the Healthcare Ward Grandparent
Scheme. After moving to the Lismore area three
years ago, Cheryl has given her time as a Board
Member of the Biala Special School in Ballina and
volunteers at the Lismore Base Hospital as a Ward
Grandparent. She arrives at the Children’s Ward
by 7.30 am four days a week and is also available
on call seven days a week to provide loving care
and attention to ill kids, particularly those with
few visitors. Cheryl does not perform any medical
tasks. She plays games, reads, sings, chats, takes
kids for walks, and bathes and feeds some little
ones. Cheryl dispenses grandmotherly attention
to the children and often provides a hug and
shoulder to cry on for the parents and at times
the nurses as well. Cheryl is highly valued by the
staff, parents and most importantly, the children,
for donating her time in providing an abundance
of comforting, reassuring ‘granny love’ to kids who
really need it.
NSW HIDDEN TREASURES HONOUR ROLL 2012 | 25