Temora woman Jone Pavelic has taken out the NSW Government Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award.
Ms Pavelic is the Chairperson of the Temora Showground Land Management and received the accolade at an awards gala dinner at the Blue Mountains Fairmont Resort last Friday.
She is the first point of contact for all facility bookings and site bookings for the
caravan park at the Temora showground, a multi-use facility which has been rated 4.1 out of 5 stars on the website Wikicamps.
Speaking after the event, Ms Pavelic said the win was a welcome surprise.
“I was gobsmacked really,” she said. “I’m not used to being in the limelight and I don’t aim for it.
“I carry out the work I do because I love it and I care deeply about what happens with the showground.”
She graced the stage several times on the night, once to receive her finalist certificate, then to receive her trophy as the overall winner, and finally to be photographed with her fellow finalists.
Despite the high praise, Ms Pavelic said she most enjoyed the casual atmosphere of the event.
“It was a very laidback and relaxing evening, with a lot of celebrating.
“The organisers were absolutely delightful and I think everyone had a really great time,” she said.
“The trophy is absolutely beautiful and has my named inscribed on it. Again, I really didn’t think I was going to receive the top gong as there were so many judges and so many other finalists who do great work in their respective communities right across this state. Any one of them would have deserved winning the category.
“I wish to thank everyone who has played a part in supporting me and my partner Garry with our work at the showground. This award is as much a toast to them as it is to me.”
Ms Pavelic has served as chairperson for several terms and was nominated by Temora Shire Council’s General Manager Gary Lavelle and Temora Showground Land Manager Vice President Matthew New, among others.
She and Garry are regarded as the backbone of the showground, with Jone undertaking the organisational and public face role while he provides manual assistance through mowing and maintenance.
She is regarded as a strong and benevolent leader, providing all members with the opportunity to participate at a level in which they feel comfortable.
In yet a further indication of Temora’s strong volunteer spirit, fellow local woman, Debbie Coddington, was also named a finalist for the Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management award.
She was nominated by Lynette and Denise Breust from Ariah Park and was recognised as a tireless advocate for the maintenance and upkeep of the Bectric Hall – the oldest pise hall in Australia.
The Community Achievement awards began in 2002 as the Regional Achievement and Community Awards and are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions that individuals and businesses make.
