2015 Blayney Shire Australia Day Volunteer of the Year: Jill Cole and John Wilcox
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This year's Volunteer of the Year has been awarded to two deserving nominees.
The first recipient was Jill Cole.
"I'm rather proud to accept this award," Jill said.
However, she added she was "surprised" to find out she was a volunteer, as she was brought up help out in the community.
"It doesn't take much. Just the smallest contribution helps the community."
Jill has dedicated much of her time to the Carcoar Hospital Museum, the Hospital Restoration Committee and the Blayney Family Research Group.
She has shown tremendous foresight and a long-term commitment to the restoration and conservation of the Carcoar Hospital which is of great historic value.
She has also been the driving force behind the establishment of the Carcoar Hospital Museum.
Jill is passionate about the heritage of our shire and has put many years into recording, preserving and promoting the local history.
She has authored two publications - "Chronicles of a Country Hospital" and "Celebrating 150 Years of Carcoar Public School" - with both becoming valuable references for local historians.
Further to her historical endeavours, Jill also assisted with the fundraising for the establishment of Uralba Retirement Village and was a board member for many years.
The second recipient of this year's Volunteer of the Year was John Wilcox, the award coming just a day after he celebrated his birthday.
"It's a privilege to receive this award in recognition of my work with Lee Hostel," John said.
"Life's great reward is being able to give to your fellow men and women and those less privileged than yourself."
John is the ever supportive President of Lee Hostel and has been so for the last 21 years.
He has the ability to organise people very well and is on call 24-hours a day.
With an understanding of the local environment, John ensures that the aged residences at the hostel are close to their families as much as possible.
Through John's contribution to Lee Hostel, many believe it may not exist and the standards he has maintained are a high standard for other hostels to aspire to.
Both Jill and John serve as inspirations to others for all the work that they do, and both are held in high esteem for their generosity, dedication and commitment to achieving special things on behalf of the people in their community.