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A WOMAN who has worked behind the scenes helping the city’s less fortunate was yesterday awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Noela Sikora was one of four recipients to receive the honour as part of yesterday’s Australia Day celebrations.
Ms Sikora, who works at 2BS, said when she received news of her award, she was lost for words.
“I was sitting on the verandah at home with my husband and daughter when the mail arrived.
“When I read it I got the shock of my life,” she said.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be a recipient of an OAM. It’s just something I never imagined,”she said.
Ms Sikora was nominated for the award by her colleague, Phil Cole, who wanted to acknowledge her enormous contribution to the Christmas Miracle Appeal, which distributes food hampers to needy families at Christmastime.
She has coordinated the event for the last 30 years.
Mr Cole said while Ms Sikora has a team of volunteers who assist her, the appeal and delivery of the hampers would not be possible without her dedication and co-ordination.
“In January she commences her efforts for the next Christmas,” he said.
Those efforts include fundraising around $30,000 to enable the purchase of food to fill up 1100 hampers, working with community organisations suchas the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul, planning delivery routes and organising the packing of the hampers a week prior to Christmas in readiness for their delivery.
It’s a far cry from when she first became involved more than 30 years ago.
“I remember we did 100 hampers and the Apex Club delivered them,”Ms Sikora said.
“In those days we use to do contra advertising for the food, but now we have to raise all the funds ourselves.
She thanked Councillor Bobby Bourke for his assistance with fundraising, as well as the others who help out.
“It’s certainly a team effort. I’ve been blessed to have the support of the people in the community,” she said.
Ms Sikora said she believes the Christmas Miracle Appeal typifies what is so great about the Bathurst community ... “that people from all walks of life come together to help out in any way they can”.
In addition to her work with the Christmas Miracle Appeal Noela has also been a member of the St Catherine’s Nursing Home Auxiliary for 25 years, and secretary for 15 years.
Humbled by the award, Ms Sikora said she felt they were others “more deserving”.