Mary Slater.
WALHALLOW’S Mary Slater is one of four women in NSW to be short-listed for the 2013 NSW Women of the Year Awards – People’s Choice Community Hero category and the public can support her.
Ms Slater is a community program officer with the Tamworth office of Aboriginal Affairs NSW and was nominated for her community work combating domestic and family violence and child sexual abuse.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW general manager Jason Ardler said he was delighted that Ms Slater’s work was recognised.
“Mary Slater is an outstanding advocate for her community and it is wonderful that she has been short-listed for this prestigious award,” he said.
“Her work is making a real difference in helping to change attitudes towards domestic violence and increase respect for women and children. She has played a critical role in founding and running a number of proactive community groups, including the Guurrama Women’s Support Group and the Aboriginal Men’s Group, as well as mentoring students at Quirindi High School.
“Ms Slater has built up trust and respect in the community and has brought people together to help tackle important issues.”
Ms Slater said she was humbled by the nomination and hoped to take her initiatives into more communities.
“Guurrama Women’s Support Group has been approached by other Aboriginal communities, including Warren and Glen Innes, who want help to set up similar groups,” she said.
“We hope to take the concept to Toomelah to discuss how our group was set up, how it is run and our action plans.”
NSW residents can vote until midnight on Sunday, February 24 and the winners will be announced by the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell at a special reception on Thursday, March 7.
Ms Slater is a community program officer with the Tamworth office of Aboriginal Affairs NSW and was nominated for her community work combating domestic and family violence and child sexual abuse.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW general manager Jason Ardler said he was delighted that Ms Slater’s work was recognised.
“Mary Slater is an outstanding advocate for her community and it is wonderful that she has been short-listed for this prestigious award,” he said.
“Her work is making a real difference in helping to change attitudes towards domestic violence and increase respect for women and children. She has played a critical role in founding and running a number of proactive community groups, including the Guurrama Women’s Support Group and the Aboriginal Men’s Group, as well as mentoring students at Quirindi High School.
“Ms Slater has built up trust and respect in the community and has brought people together to help tackle important issues.”
Ms Slater said she was humbled by the nomination and hoped to take her initiatives into more communities.
“Guurrama Women’s Support Group has been approached by other Aboriginal communities, including Warren and Glen Innes, who want help to set up similar groups,” she said.
“We hope to take the concept to Toomelah to discuss how our group was set up, how it is run and our action plans.”
NSW residents can vote until midnight on Sunday, February 24 and the winners will be announced by the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell at a special reception on Thursday, March 7.
