"Voluntary service is the rent we pay for our room on earth and I am blessed with five-star accommodation!"
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Those are the words attributed Peak Hill's Pamela Bell, who has been named on the Hidden Treasures honour roll for 2019 for her service to her community.
Mrs Bell was one of two women from the community named on this year's honour roll, an initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Rural Women's Network.
The other is Karryn Keed, who is heavily involved in the Back to Bulgandramine gathering - her story here.
"Pam has worked tirelessly and volunteered her time to improve education and health services in our rural community," her citation in the honour roll states.
Mrs Bell studied Science and her career as a wool research scientist with the CSIRO saw her invited to the University of California as a textile scientist.
However, her heart remained in Australia.
She has called Peak Hill home for 55 years now, marrying Robert in 1964 and living on the family farm before later retiring into town.
A teacher at first Peak Hill Central and then principal at Tullamore, Mrs Bell was honoured for always striving to achieve the best educational outcomes for her students.
She also has a keen interest in health service in rural communities serving as chair of the Kooringle Nursing Home and leading a team of dedicated volunteers in ensuring accreditation standards were met.
Mrs Bell also chaired the Peak Hill Health Council, representing the community on the planning committee for Peak Hill's Multipurpose Health Centre.
An active member of the local Red Cross for 20 years, she then became representative of all the country branches to the NSW divisional board and was awarded life membership of the organisation in 2017.
Mrs Bell remains an active member of the Peak Hill Leisure Arts and Craft Centre, donates her time to fundraise and support the local show, scripture classes, seniors' luncheon and street stalls.
You'll see her helping out at the information centre and caring for the elderly, her citation in the honour roll continues.
Mrs Bell was presented with her certificate and congratulated by Member for Orange Phil Donato at a function in Forbes on January 17. Recipients were joined by family and friends for the occasion.
Mr Donato told those who attended Friday morning's event that the Honour Roll was "a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the great work so many women in our community do every day - and have done for many years".
Presenting them with their certificates was a great privilege and honour, he added.
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