ILUKA BEACON 2024 CLARENCE

Cheryl Dimmock of Iluka is the 2024 Clarence Electorate Local Women of the Year local Nationals MP Richie Williamson declared at a special function at the Iluka Community Hall on Monday in the company of Ms Dimmock’s family, friends and community members.

Mr Williamson said the award was an opportunity for local members of NSW Parliament to recognise an outstanding woman in their electorate who was an inspiring role model to others as part of International Women’s Day celebrations held annually in March.

“It’s a tough choice because there are so many incredible women doing great things in our communities, but Cheryl certainly stands out,” Mr Williamson said.

“Cheryl was

Electorate Local Woman Of The Year

instrumental in steering the formation of a not-for-proft group called Iluka Community Organising Planning for Emergencies (ICOPE) whose primary focus is around the safety, wellbeing and preparedness of the local community in times of emergency.

“Her vision together with the ICOPE team in establishing the group in 2022 came after witnessing frst-hand the isolation Iluka had experienced during past bushfres and foods and the need to enhance awareness so the community would be better prepared and more resilient in the future.

“ICOPE’s ideas were embraced by locals at a community meeting, and with like-minded locals each with their own skills and expertise a comprehensive action plan was formulated to respond to local emergencies.

“That action plan has been formally endorsed by the Clarence Valley Local Emergency Management Committee designating the community of Iluka and surrounds as one of few towns in NSW as a community-managed emergency centre.

“This is an incredible achievement and is a leading example of what communities can do to safeguard their own backyard and be better prepared in times of emergency.

“I know Cheryl is a very humble recipient of this award, but she has led by example and her vision and dedication to improving the safety and wellbeing of her local community is commendable and I thank her for her tireless efforts and leadership.”

Ms Dimmock said she was honoured to accept the award from Mr Williamson but in doing so wanted to thank and acknowledge all the members of ICOPE for their dedication to improving disaster preparedness and community connectedness in Iluka but above all their friendship and support. /…….2

“To receive such recognition amidst the backdrop of International Women’s Day is profoundly meaningful to me. Not only to me personally but to all the women who tirelessly contribute to the vibrancy and resilience of our communities,” Mr Dimmock said.

“This award is not solely mine to claim. It belongs to each and every member of ICOPE, past and present, who have poured their hearts and souls into making our community safer, stronger, and more connected. It is a testament to the power of collective action and the boundless potential that lies within when we come together with a shared vision.”

“Together we envisage ICOPE not just as an organisation but as a beacon of hope and resilience in times of adversity.”

“Leemo has views on just about anything”

LEEMO’S INPUT to HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES

As you might know, I am known as an exceptionally wellinformed, astute feline; I do, therefore ponder, why ‘Mum Jane’ doesn’t just go out & get a job and earn money like she used to, instead of bleating on about the high cost of living. (It’s ‘Leemo Cat’ here!) She’s at home so much more than she used to be since she stopped work; I frankly nd her ‘underfoot’. As I have 4 footies she is in my way! I long for the nostalgia of her ‘leaving every morning’ dressed quite smartly in the days when she HAD a job. (Her style of dressing however depreciated immediately on not being gainfully employed!) When she had a job, she would be home at 5.10pm sharp!

By this time of day, me and my buddies had been to a Cat Jamboree, listened to music, chased a dog, debated the news over Café co ee, climbed trees, watched ‘Bluey’ on TV and in fact, used to have a jolly ni y time. (Ooopsie, I ‘spose I should mention that when I was a wee baby kitten she DID come home every day at lunch time to check on me. THIS should have told me about the times ahead!) Moving right along. Far too o en these days I am subjected to Mum’s constant diatribe ref. the cost of living. SO, a er an inspirational thought, I decided to talk with her about how to improve our nances and reduce her never-ending grousing. Hmmm! I came right out with it. ‘Mum, why don’t you just go get a job? I’ve read you can earn $150 a WEEK on top of the Aged Pension we get, and not be penalised. AND, let me nish before you scowl! Gottit? I’m going to assist you in putting an application together to ensure success in your job search. Now, let me tell you about some truly wonderful jobs for which you could apply. Mum you could be an Egyptian Royal Nose Picker. King Tut, the young Egyptian pharaoh, hired an assistant to pick his royal nose for the low price of three head of cattle, food and lodging. Whoohoo Mum, we could get 3 cows to trim our grass?!! And Mum, what about being a Professional Sleeper? Some hotel chains hire people as ‘sleepers’ to test out the comfort of the beds. You could get paid to sleep in many beds & you just have to write a review about your sleeping comfort & get PAID! And Mum, what about a Paint Watcher? Big paint rms actually pay people to sit and observe how long it takes for their products to dry, so they can say how good it is in their advertising. AND MUM, you could be a PET FOOD TESTER!! is job entails tastetesting new pet food products, like bones, tinned meat & sh & bikkies. Mum, how ni y that is? You could bring stu home and I could contribute to our household $ by helping you taste & test?

Hmmm, how unusual?

I hadn’t heard a peep or rude word from the old woman during my whole presentation. I glanced at her & saw she was fast asleep emitting a kinda snore. Talk about rude?

I’d put in a huge e ort researching jobs she could apply for, and am totally ignored; I bit her ankle. YEP, that woke her up. Oooh, I got the ‘Mum Jane’ meanie glare followed by ‘Leems, why don’t YOU go get a job as an Astronaut?

I’ll help you into space

VERY briskly if you keep up your totally inane suggestions so go away. AND, tell me the $ cost of bringing 3 cows from Egypt to Lismore?

’ Crikey, time to depart for tree-like locations. Nitey, (minus purrsies) Leemo.