‘Heart of gold’: Joanne Gordon honoured as Woman of the Year

A woman described as having a heart of gold, putting her family and community’s needs above her own, has been honoured as the SIAHTO Woman of the Year.

Joanne Gordon was announced as the 43rd award recipient at the SIAHTO changeover dinner at the Narrabri RSL on Tuesday night.

Mrs Gordon was shocked by the announcement, however, it was the surprise arrival of her daughter Josephine and grandson Peter, who travelled from Brisbane for the occasion, which made the special moment overwhelming.

“I just do what I do,” Mrs Gordon said. “For me, it’s all about my kids and the community.”

Mrs Gordon’s community involvements across the years have spanned her children’s schooling and sporting interests as well as other community causes. Mrs Gordon has also been willing to fundraise for community causes.

She now joins an impressive list of local women acknowledged for their outstanding dedication.

Mrs Gordon’s announcement as the 2024 recipient was met with applause from the gathering in the RSL auditorium.

Nominating Mrs Gordon for the award, Ann Loder praised her time spent giving back to the community.

“She has been an active member of P&C committees at Narrabri Public School, Narrabri West Public School and Narrabri High School and has held numerous committee positions including as President of Narrabri Public School P&C for seven years. She was an active member of the Parent Day Club at Narrabri West Public School and occupied each of the committee positions during her time there,” Mrs Loder said.

“She also helped at the school’s canteens and was a member of the fete committees, which were the biggest fundraisers for each of the schools and its students.”

Mrs Loder said Mrs Gordon has also held the positions of needlework steward and assistant needlework steward at the Narrabri Show for more than 15 years and volunteered her time setting up and pulling down exhibits as well as attending meetings in preparation for the show.

“She continues to support the show by annually donating a prize for the knitting and crocheting category in the open needlework section in memory of her mother,” she said.

“This candidate is also an active member of SIAHTO and has held various committee positions over the last eight years.”

Mrs Loder said Mrs Gordon’s children were actively involved in the local Scouting group, and she was a big contributor with her time and ideas to their fundraising committee.

“She also supported the Scouts in their community work and helped man the Scout stall at Farm Craft. She is a member of the Red Cross and has volunteered her time with the Cancer Council’s Dancing with The Stars in Narrabri and Gunnedah as a judge and dancer.

“She is also known as a surrogate mum and grandma, or Marnie as she prefers to be called, to many of her children’s friends and their children.”

Mrs Loder said Mrs Gordon is very generous with her time and readily helps others.

“She is one of the first to volunteer when help is needed,” she said.