Carol Cleary named Coffs Harbour Electorate Local Woman of the Year Coffs Coast Coffs Coast - popup ad Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - March 14, 2024 Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley and 2024 Coffs Harbour Electorate Local Woman of the Year Carol Cleary at the NSW Women of the Year Awards in Sydney. ULONG resident and inspirational community champion Carol Cleary has been named the 2024 Coffs Harbour Electorate Local Woman of the Year. In making the announcement, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said Carol was awarded the prestigious honour in recognition of her significant work and leadership to actively support her local community over many years. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “Carol is well known for her extraordinary commitment and ongoing contribution to the betterment of the Ulong and Lowanna communities,” Mr Singh said. “She is able to bring people together and harness their energies to help make a positive difference in the delivery of services on the Eastern Dorrigo, most particularly the Ulong Health Hub and other vital programs.” Carol told News Of The Area she felt humbled by the award. “I accept not only on behalf of myself, but of all our wonderful ladies from the mountain,” she said. “What an amazing bunch of women they are – strong, vulnerable, brave, resilient, kind and so giving – each one special with their own story to tell.” Carol attended the International Woman of the Year awards ceremony for NSW at Darling Harbour in Sydney on Thursday 7 March. “It was certainly a moment in my life I won’t forget, and for that I would like to humbly thank Mr Gurmesh Singh MP. “To be given the opportunity of not only meeting the Governor of NSW for a photo – not quite a selfie – but to engage in conversation with her about our tiny mountain villages of Ulong and Lowanna and what we are achieving here, was inspiring. “What a woman that lady is.” Carol, who comes from a line of inspirational women, encouraged others to follow their dreams. “I grew up the seventh child in a family of eight, where the only money you had came from what you earned,” she said. “My mother was a very loving and caring woman who encouraged her three daughters to be whatever they dreamed of. “My eldest sister is a nursing unit manager of a cardiac ICU, my other sister a powerful and strong business woman in the fashion field, and myself a teacher, now Local Woman of the Year. “Never stop trying to achieve what you know is right in your heart, whatever that may be, there is always an answer, you just need to find it, and you will.” By Andrea FERRARI Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh with Carol and Steve Cleary at the NSW Women of the Year Awards in Sydney.
