THE Oxley Electorate Woman of the Year Award is an award that recognises women who demonstrate excellence in business and society or makes an outstanding contribution personally and professionally.

The 2021 winner certainly ticks all of those boxes.

On April 28, Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey presented Nambucca Valley local Judy Ward with this prestigious award.

“She goes above and beyond her role as the CEO of the Macksville Ex Services Club to represent the interests of her community and ensure appropriate help is available when needed,” Ms Pavey said of this year’s winner.

Mrs Ward is not only well known for her amazing management skills at the club but also her tireless efforts supporting her community.

The Nambucca Valley has faced its fair share of disasters over the past three years; from a drought, bushfires, a pandemic, a little flooding, and then a massive amount of flooding.

Mrs Ward has worked to send vital supplies and hay to the drought affected areas out west.

During the 2019 bushfires she set up a sanctuary for those who needed and a place to stay filled with food and clothing for those who had lost a little or a lot.

Through the pandemic she kept her staff employed and brainstormed ways to keep the club alive and still offer something to the community, even if it was only a quick reassuring chat when they collected their takeaway food.

And when the floods came raging through the community in March, the club became a key place for information, directing people to the appropriate resources.

Mrs Ward wasn’t aware of her nomination for The Oxley Electorate Woman of the Year until Melinda Pavey’s office called her asking if she would accept the nomination.

“I said yes,” Judy said, “Without really knowing what the award was for.”

Mrs Ward was later informed she had in fact won the award and was invited to the award ceremony in Sydney to accept the honour.

She was all set and ready to attend when urgent business arose at the club and Judy regretfully declined, putting the needs of the Club and her community first.

“I was setting up for the Elders Olympics meet and greet and Melinda Pavey came in with Janine Reed and presented me with the Woman of the Year Award,” she told News Of The Area.

When asked what this award means to her, Judy said, “I am really proud of the award but this award wouldn’t be for me unless I had the awesome team I have behind me.

“The things I do in the community don’t happen by one person, it is a team effort.

“Not only is it the staff around me but also the volunteers coming in from the community to help.”

 

By Tamara MCWILLIAM