Three local nominations for NSW Woman of the Year Award

Three community volunteers from the Northern Tablelands have been nominated for the 2010 NSW Woman of the Year Award.
They include Desley Kane from Drake, Judi Toms of Glen Innes and Anne Watson of Inverell whose names will go before a panel this weekend to select ten State finalists.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said award nominations had been expanded this year by the NSW Minister for Women Jodie McKay to include not only those from local MPs but also the community.
He said he had nominated Glen Innes teacher and community leader Judi Toms and welcomed the inclusion of Family Day Carer Anne Watson and Mrs Kane who has worked tirelessly for her local community.
“The Northern Tablelands has been acknowledged as having the greatest proportion of volunteers in the State and these are three outstanding nominees to represent out area,” Mr Torbay said. “I wish them all the best for the finals and thank them for their tremendous contributions to their communities.

The MP said Ms Toms is involved in the Glen Innes community as a committed Assistant Principal at Glen Innes Public School, as a member of Quota International, including as the current president and as a member of the International Women’s Day committee.
“She has also been an energetic Mayoress for the Glen Innes Severn Council along with her husband Steve Toms, the current Mayor,” he said. “The Australia Day committee, Australian Celtic Festival’s Arts in School Program and the Glen Innes Arts Council Choir have all benefitted from Judi’s generous contribution.”
Mrs Watson is a family day carer and full time DOCS foster carer with a wonderful record of looking after young people in need and persuading other members of the community to become involved.
Mrs Kane is a community stalwart who has helped raise funds for many causes including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the Jane McGrath Foundation and the Red Cross Tsunami appeal. She helped raise funding for a local woman in need of a wheelchair, for the local school and the local hospitals as well as personally assisting many groups in the community.