The NSW Government is calling for rural communities to nominate women volunteers for the 2014 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, and Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Victor Dominello, said today.

Ms Hodgkinson said the call comes during National Volunteer Week (12-18 May) which is in its 25th anniversary year and is celebrating the power of volunteering.

“I strongly encourage anybody who knows of a woman who is volunteering and has given her time and energy selflessly for others to nominate her to be formally recognised in this year’s NSW Hidden Treasures Honour Roll,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“Rural women play an important role in ensuring the survival of many important community groups including charities, emergency services, the arts, environment, social justice, education and sporting organisations – without their valuable contributions some of these groups would simply not be able to continue their good work.

“The Hidden Treasures Honour Roll creates a lasting archive to recognise the women volunteers living and working in rural, regional and remote NSW.

“Every year we are overwhelmed by the scope of these women’s stories, so many volunteers do not seek the limelight and go about their work quietly and diligently, but Hidden Treasures is our opportunity to say thank you to some outstanding women.”

Mr Dominello, the Minister responsible for volunteering policy, said Hidden Treasures is a joint project of the Rural Women’s Network (Department of Primary Industries) and The Centre for Volunteering, NSW.

“The NSW Government values the significant contribution of our state’s two-million plus volunteers and we are proud to give special recognition through this initiative to rural women who have served their communities with distinction,” Mr Dominello said.

“Nominating a rural woman is easy – simply complete your nomination online or download a nomination form and share a few paragraphs about why your nominee is worthy.

“All women nominated will be included in the 2014 Roll which will be launched at the annual NSW Rural Women’s Gathering in Coolamon on 12-14 September 2014.”