The NSW Government is focused on delivering a range of targeted initiatives aimed at supporting and promoting volunteering to enrich the lives of volunteers, strengthen local communities and benefit NSW. 

Hidden Treasures is a NSW Government initiative created to recognise and elevate the invaluable volunteer efforts of women across regional, rural and remote NSW communities.

91 women will be recognised at the ‘Thank you NSW Volunteers’ event in Wagga Wagga today, hosted by the NSW Rural Women’s Network. The event is being held as part of National Volunteer Week 20 to 26 May to celebrate the important role that volunteers play in building vibrant communities across NSW.

Coordinated by the NSW Rural Women’s Network, the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll calls for nominations throughout the year from individuals and groups, charity organisations, and local members of parliament.

More than 1200 women have been commended on the Honour Roll since 2010.

Nominations for the 2024 Honour Roll are now open. To nominate a woman as a Hidden Treasure and read the 2023 Hidden Treasures digital booklet, visit the Hidden Treasures Honor Roll page. 

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“In regional and rural NSW, women’s dedication to volunteering is remarkable, whether it’s on the frontline with the RFS, on the fields of the local sports team, saving lives with their local surf lifesaving club or providing friendship and support to those in need week in week out.

“These remarkable women see something that needs to be done and they get out and do it.”

“The work of women volunteering and leading volunteers in regional NSW is a key reason why our regional communities thrive and flourish.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“In regional, rural and remote towns, we know women can wear many hats and play many important roles in their communities. So the contribution women make through their volunteer efforts in their tight-knit communities is truly invaluable.

“The Hidden Treasures program as it is a wonderful way to celebrate and commend women for their selfless dedication and passion in bringing their local community together, for uplifting society and for moving industry.

“By recognising these inspirational women, we want to continue to encourage more local regional, rural and remote women to take their future in their own hands to support and advance their community.”

CEO of the Centre for Volunteering Gemma Rygate said:

“Volunteers are an essential part of every community in NSW, from major cities to regional towns. In 2023, 4.3 million people volunteered, with a social and economic benefit of $178 billion to the state economy. These numbers show the importance of volunteering in NSW and highlight how volunteering helps build stronger, more cohesive communities.

“Recognition and celebration of the work that volunteers do is essential and National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to celebrate volunteering. While volunteers are not paid for their work, we know that volunteering is not free and is in fact becoming increasingly costly. The vital work of volunteers in NSW deserves celebration and support from all of community.”

NSW Regional Woman of the Year Teresa Mitchell said:

“Women bring compassion to everything they do. We see the gaps and we have the courage to stand up and make a difference.

“Regardless of where a woman volunteering lives, you can be guaranteed that she is adding value by sharing her skills, time and energy. I have the greatest respect for the women out there making a difference in their communities, and there are many of them.”