THE childcare services of Donna Sollorz proved invaluable in 2020, seeing a frontline worker nominate her for an Australia Day Achievement Medallion.
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Ms Sollorz, who was absent from the ceremony on Australia Day, was presented with her certificate and medallion after the event by mayor Bobby Bourke and councillor Alex Christian.
The medallions were a new award in 2021, introduced to recognise people in public service who are known to go above and beyond.
All of the recipients were nominated by community members, making the honour extra special.
Ms Sollorz, who operates Donna's Family Day Care out of her home, was nominated by a frontline worker, who relied on her to care for her children while she was working during the pandemic.
Like many people, Ms Sollorz was forced to apply for JobKeeper last year and, on top of that, she made sacrifices to help others keep working.
"We kept our doors open and because I've got paramedics in our care, I opened on the public holidays, I took on her eldest son who couldn't get care in his day care centre, I cancelled my short holiday and stayed open so that I could help them," she said.
"I didn't think anything of it. They needed to help the community because of this pandemic, so I needed to help them."
Ms Sollorz said she was "absolutely shocked", but also proud, to have been nominated for a medallion.
She was appreciative of both the person who nominated her, who Ms Sollorz said deserved a medallion of their own, and the mayor for taking the time to present her the medallion personally.
The award comes after a career in family day care that started in Bathurst 13 years ago.
"I have six children of my own. Moved to Bathurst, didn't know what to do, was pregnant with my youngest one and I heard of family day care and just decided to do that," she said.
It was only meant to be something she did until her youngest started school, but he is now in high school and Ms Sollorz has no intention of leaving the world of childcare.
"I was actually at a point where I was getting tired and thinking 'Is there another career I could do?', and then this (the award) happened and I went 'No'. There no other career, this is obviously it, I have to stay," she said.
