As chair of the Deniliquin Local Health Advisory Committee and one of the more recognisable faces of the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, she’s always championing local initiatives and representing the organisations when those programs are honoured.
But when it came to accepting an individual honour at yesterday’s Australia Day awards, it was difficult for Lourene to mask how overwhelmed she was.
When she was named Edward River Council Citizen of the Year, after being a nominee for the same award last year, the crowd erupted in applause.
She fought back the tears as she reflected on a series of memories and all the hard work that had led to this moment.
The award is presented to a resident who has made a noteworthy contribution to the betterment of the Edward River region and given outstanding service to the local community in the past 12 months or over a number of years.
Lourene is involved in many organisations and is a driving force behind them.
She has been a club member of the Deniliquin Lawn Tennis Club for over 20 years, a committee member for 16 years and club president from 2013-2015. For that, she was awarded with life membership.
She is a pro-active member of the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group, which was established after a mental health forum in 2003.
She is also chair of the Deniliquin Local Advisory Committee where she has raised awareness for LHAC and its valuable advocating for the community.
During COVID, Lourene posted reliable and well-resourced guidance via Facebook and through the pages of the Pastoral Times to get the community through a very difficult time.
“Lourene’s ongoing contributions to the community inspires others and indicates her passion and drive to help provide services to each and every member of the community,” her nomination read.
In her acceptance speech Lourene thanked family, friends and colleagues for all the support they have given, and graciously congratulated the other nominees - Karen Martin, Chris Bodey and Robert Tubb
She also shared how much emotion the day holds for her.
Originally from South Africa, she acknowledges those who were made Australian citizens yesterday saying “I always reflect in this moment on our own citizenship ceremony back in 2006; a moment that will stay with me forever.”
Lourene and her family left South Africa in 1997 and, after a brief stint in Canada and miles of uncertainty and paperwork, they were “blessed by a safe country, then a safe community where they could live, work and grow old”.
“The community is such a big part of our story and how easily we found schools, work, clubs, groups and just amazing people,” she said, highlighting it’s been 21 years since they arrived in Deniliquin.
“The hardest part was finding a bank that was confident to lend us money to buy a car and a house without thinking we might skip the country.”
She said Deniliquin would hold “treasured memories and people” and is a place “to live out my passion in health and mental health”.
“I feel blessed to be living in Deni with my family and calling it home.
“I look forward to continuing to promote wellbeing, and I cannot thank my family enough for giving me the space to do things I value giving me love, support and understanding.”
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