Tricia Hadley has been celebrated for her widespread community involvement as a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Mrs Hadley, who was awarded for service to the Narrabri community, is a prominent figure in many local organisations. She is also known to many for her caring nature as a civil celebrant and funeral director.
The medal citation, released on Saturday night, reveals the extent to which Mrs Hadley has become enmeshed in the community and the important role she plays in organisations that have contributed enormously to Narrabri across the years.
Mrs Hadley is a Rotary Club of Narrabri past president, vice president, treasurer and current vocation director; Narrabri Inner Wheel past president and vice president; and Narrabri RSL Sub-branch assistant honorary secretary and affiliate member.
Mrs Hadley has also been involved with planning of the Narrabri memorial ceremonies.
She is the Narrabri Hospital Auxiliary president and kiosk volunteer; Rocky Creek RFS brigade honorary secretary/treasurer, first aid officer and volunteer; current president Narrabri Parkinson’s Support Group; founding member of the Carers Morning Tea Group, Narrabri Carers and Caring Group; a volunteer with the Narrabri Park Run; president of the Narrabri Probus Club; a member of Compassionate Friends; a Justice of the Peace; and the former coordinator of the Narrabri Rotary Markets (formerly Gypsy Willow Markets).
She is also a registered marriage and civil celebrant, and funeral director.
Speaking with The Courier about the honour, Mrs Hadley thanked the many groups she is involved in for their support. Each organisation brings joy to her life both through service and friendship.
“Rotary is a wonderful organisation that gives so much to our community,” Mrs Hadley said.
“My mother had Parkinson’s. I always said when I had the time, it would join our local group.
“And then there’s the hospital auxiliary where I’m giving more of my time.”
Mrs Hadley is also a fierce advocate of the Rural Fire Service and the important role it plays in local communities.
A long-time resident up in the mountains on Killarney Gap Road, she knows too well how fires can sweep through bushland.
“The RFS is so very important,” she said.
And then there’s another cause close to her heart – recognising war-time service and supporting past and current servicemen and women through the Narrabri RSL Sub-branch.
Mrs Hadley is well-known in the community for her involvement in local commemorations, particularly Anzac Day.
In addition to her many positions in community services and organisations, Mrs Hadley is known as a caring funeral director and celebrant.
She has presided over too many funerals and weddings to count, however, is grateful to support local people and families in what are their worst and best times of their lives.
Assisting people in their time of grief can be particularly challenging, especially if someone has died in tragic circumstances, however, Mrs Hadley is widely celebrated for her compassionate nature.
“You just have to dig deeper and find what you need to be able to support people when they need it most,” she said.
And when Mrs Hadley needs care and compassion, she turns to the Compassionate Friends group for support.
“It’s a safe space for me,” she said.
“That’s the one place where I can’t speak. I can’t do a reading,” she said.
Reflecting on her Medal of the Order of Australia, she said she was still in a state of shock.
“I’m just an ordinary person. I still don’t understand why I have received it,” she said.
“I don’t see why I stand out.
“There are so many other people in our community who are deserving of such an honour.”
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