A Tomingley woman who is helping to save lives during the worst drought in living memory has been honoured by the Australian Red Cross.
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Sue Strahorn,70, a farmer's wife and retired registered nurse and midwife, has received one of 15 outstanding service awards distributed across Australia by the charity in the lead-up to National Volunteer Week 2019, which started May 20.
Mrs Strahorn is a member of its Let's Talk drought committee which funds events to help "farming communities in NSW stay connected and cope with stress".
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Government and non-government organisations apply to the committee for funding to run events.
Red Cross branches and clubs, and the annual Currabubula Red Cross Art Show, have been topping up the program's coffers.
"The funding is always for an event to bring people together and encourage the conversation that might make a difference to someone's life," Mrs Strahorn said.
"At the heart of it is ensuring they know they are not the only ones in the situation which might be dire, and that they have someone to talk to and someone they can connect with."
The events range from sheep training days and street parties for "neighbours who live up to 30 kilometres apart" to writing workshops and pamper days for women in isolated communities.
Mrs Strahorn said the committee looked to have qualified counsellors at the events.
"We had a family day out at the Eumungerie hall a couple of months ago with ramhp (Rural Adversity Mental Health Program) there," she said.
The award also acknowledges her contribution to the Red Cross Parkes emergency services team and her tireless work as secretary of the Peak Hill branch and zone representative for an area taking in Parkes, Peak Hill, Forbes, Trundle, Eugowra, Trangie and Narromine.
Red Cross reports that Mrs Strahorn is "always on hand to assist" its Dubbo regional office and is a member of the NSW awards committee.
When Red Cross launched its national drought appeal last year, Mrs Strahorn and her husband Robert made their property available for promotional videos.
A stalwart of the Narromine branch, Gay Richardson, has also received one of the 15 outstanding service awards.
