HAPPY PAWS FOUNDER FINALIST IN REGIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR

By TIM HOWARD

Clarence Valley animal rehoming centre founder Sally Rogers has been named as a fnalist in the NSW Regional Woman of the Year quest.

Sponsored by the Minerals Council of NSW, the Regional Woman of the Year is part of search for the 2023 Women of the Year.

The quest organisers received more than 400 nominations from around the state for the contest which seeks winners in a six categories

• NSW Woman of Excellence

• NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year

• Aware Super NSW Community Hero

• NSW Minerals Council Regional Woman of the Year

• NSW Young Woman of the Year

• The One to Watch Award proudly supported by the

Advocate for Children and Young People.

From those 400 nominees the judges have whittled the numbers down to 34 fnalists, from which the winner of the Premier’s Award for NSW Woman of the Year will come.

Ms Rogers has been a passionate spokesperson for animal welfare since she established Happy Paws Haven in Grafton in 2006.

Originally located in a suburban home in Grafton, the sanctuary outgrew those premises and in 2011 she moved to the more spacious location it now operates from at Eatonsville, west of Grafton.

Happy Paws Haven is a not-for-proft rehoming sanctuary for companion animals, which also provides opportunities for the community to gain work experience and volunteer.

Ms Roberts supports people and helps care for their pets when their situation makes it temporarily impossible for the owner to do so.

Animals have been housed during situations of illness, incarceration, family violence, family relocation, even death. Fires, and more recently the foods have created an even bigger demand Happy Paws with anxious owners bringing their animals to its gates to help in times of need.

As a former business high fyer with companies including IBM, Ms Roger knew it was impossible to rest on her laurels.

She ensured Happy Paws built a pathway for the future based on the needs of animals and the community, continuously upgrading skills and resources so new programs can be put in place.

In the early days Ms Rogers and Happy Paws had to win over a sceptical public, but in the past decade it has gained respect for their commitment and excellent care of companion animals.

Happy Paws welcomes visitors to observe the work carried out, and to see how the centre works for the greater good of animals and the community.

Ms Rogers took to social media to thank people for helping her get this far, describing the accolade as a “wonderful surprise”.

On March 8-9 I will be attending the NSW Woman of the Year Event for 2023,” she said.

“I feel very humble regarding the nomination, let alone being a fnalist.

“Thank you to everyone who has enabled this opportunity, it is wonderful to have the recognition for the work we do at Happy Paws Haven which is not possible without the support of my wonderful team of volunteers.”

The NSW Women of the Year Awards is part of the NSW Women’s Week (6-12 March), coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8.