THE quiet behind-the-scenes efforts of Valla’s Anne Pade to help others in the local community have been recognised.
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Much to her surprise, she has been presented with a Federal Government National Volunteers Award for 44 years of volunteer work for a multitude of community, church and support groups.
Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker presented the long-time Valla farmer, mother of four and breast cancer survivor with her Certificate of Appreciation to mark National Volunteer Week.
“Despite all of her responsibilities, Anne has still always managed to devote time to her local community,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“Many people take on one or two voluntary roles, but Anne has taken it that step further, clocking up decades of service with a vast array of worthy community groups and causes.”
Anne told the Guardian she was blown away at the ceremony.
“I am feeling a bit embarrassed really – I am a community person but I am normally in the background,” Anne said.
“I feel it is a great honour – especially because there are so many others who work so hard.”
Her list of community work is impressive: it includes 44 years as the organist at the Nambucca Heads Anglican Church (“Since I was 13-years-old”), nearly as many years on the Valla Hall Committee, plus the Anglican Church Op-Shop, the Rusty Iron Rally and Cancer Connect.
Being a cancer survivor herself, Anne said, she enjoyed supporting people through their cancer treatments because she’d walked in the shoes herself.
“The treatment and survival rates have improved so much since my diagnosis in 1997 – I love seeing those changes and I think community fundraising efforts have definitely helped.
“Nonetheless there is still that dread and trauma of treatment – I understand that.”
Anne said while she loved her community work, she didn’t mind stepping aside to let new people with new ideas take over.
“My mother always told me that “someone will walk in your shoes – they will do it differently but it will still be the right outcome”.
“I don’t want to hinder change.”
Nambucca Shire mayor Rhonda Hoban said Anne was the epitome of the quiet achiever, always giving and never seeking recognition.
