Lola Shearer was the 2014 individual winner for her work involved with the Moree Renal Unit.

Lola said she was very surprised to hear the news, and didn’t do community work for recognition.

“We have a fantastic committee who all work very hard. Without them nothing would work as well as it does,” she said.

Lola has been the treasurer of the renal unit since its beginning in 2001.

Her grandchildren’s aunty was diagnosed with cancer and frequently had to travel to Tamworth for treatment. Sadly she passed away at the age of 33, and before the Moree unit was established.

“It’s very sad to see people going through what they have to, especially the younger ones. A lot of the times people can be very sick when they get off the machines so it is quite sad,” Lola said.

She has been involved in many capacities helping with fundraisers and events such as selling raffle tickets, decorating venues, baking and more.

Lola has also been diagnosed with inclusion body myositis which makes her mobility limited but she is still there helping wherever and whenever she can.

Lola has also signed on to be a ‘guinea pig’ for treatment of her condition which means frequently travelling back and forth to Sydney.  Lola said if this can help somebody with this disease, it will have been worth while.

Her highlight while being part of the committee was being named Volunteers of the Year at the Hunter New England Health Excellence Awards.

Meanwhile, Moree Can Assist was named the Group Volunteer of the Year.

President David Graham said they were very proud to accept the award.

“It’s great recognition for the very hard working band of workers, and at the same time we couldn’t have achieved this without the wonderful support of Moree businesses during the past five years.

Mr Graham said in that time the committee had assisted more than 500 clients through their difficult times of battling cancer.

“I’d also like to recognise the hard work of Fiona Kelly who was the president for the past four years and instrumental in starting the local branch.”

”I think the Moree community recognised what we are about,” Mr Graham said.

“All the money raised stays in the Moree district. We are local people helping local people,” he said.

Mr Graham said Moree was one of 57 branches across the state, and sadly, there were a lot of requests for help.

The other nominees in this year’s awards were:

          Individual:

Darrel Smith, who has been involved for 10 years in the community through sporting and community organisations including soccer, cricket, Pius X, Moree NAIDOC committee and Roy Thorne House;

Mitchell Johnson, whose involvement in the Moree community includes tireless efforts and involvement in groups such as the Moree and District Services Club, Moree Reconciliation Group, Moree Boomerangs Rugby League Football Club, Roy Thorne House and vice president of Group 19 Rugby League; 

Glen Crump, started volunteering at the age of 12, now 30. Glen still works tirelessly and fundraising for a lot of different groups including the Cancer Council, Byamee Hike for Homeless, Northcott Walk with Me, Pius X, McHappy Day Ronald McDonald House, Moree Boomerangs, Mission Beat Aboriginal Radio, Roy Thorne House, Moree NAIDOC Committee, founding member Moree Youth Council, founding member Moree Reconciliation Group, Moree council’s Reconciliation Action Plan, Moree Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Moree PCYC, Can Assist, Byamee Winter Sleep-out, the Vibe Alive Festival;

Kylie Benge’s service to the Moree community over many years includes voluntary contribution to groups like the Moree Boomerangs, Miyay Birray Youth Service, Nindathana, St Pius X, Moree Reconciliation Group, Moree NAIDOC Committee.

Margaret Young, has been involved in groups such as treasurer of the Moree Services Club Fishing Club, secretary of Renal Support Group, HACC shopping bus, and helping individuals on needs basis such as cooking and travel to appointments.

Peter McLennan, has been involved with the Moree Youth Insearch program for 14 years.  He takes on the roles as coordinator, recruitment officer and support officer. Peter is always available for fundraising activities for various groups. As a driver of the bus he provides extra care to the students and elders.

          Group:

Moree Boomerangs - The Moree Boomerangs have been very strong both on and off the field and showing real community spirit in the ways of:

• Tackling domestic violence ambassadors

• School visits and coaching clinics

• McHappy Day raising money for Ronal McDonald House

• Donations to local youth going away for sports

• Players and coaches running NAIDOC events

• Players, coach and committee helping supervise youth discos

Moree Reconciliation Group - The Moree Reconciliation Group is a group of people both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal who work together to promote harmony in Moree.  

This group has been together for 14 years, normally only organising two activities but this year creating a whole week of activities for Reconciliation Week.

The group also organised Sorry Day and hosted public meetings with MPs and ministers around social justice and reconciliation.