Gwen Porter OAM was involved extensively in the community of Harrington, becoming involved, in a voluntary capacity, in many of the groups and clubs formed for the betterment of the village of Harrington and its residents.
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Gwen was born in Maitland on September 29, 1928 and passed away on October 9, 2019. Her funeral was held at Hastings Funeral's chapel, Port Macquarie on October 18.
She moved to Harrington in September 1977.
In 1978, Gwen became involved in the formation of Harrington Day Centre and the Harrington Walkers. In 1980 she became a member of the Harrington Community Health Centre Committee again progressing to public officer in charge of the running of the centre.
Gwen arranged and managed the installation of a medical practitioner in the medical suite situated in the front of the building. Visiting medical clinics now include Well Women's Health, podiatrist, denture clinic, early childhood, dietitian, prostate and diabetes nurses.
Taxation assistance for the elderly was brought to the area as well adult education.
The centre has become a meeting place for local groups and clubs in an endeavour to raise funds for the upkeep and continuance of the centre.
For the past five years, Gwen arranged for the local community bus, affectionately known as the "Boob Bus", to transport local women to the Hunter mobile unit for breast cancer xrays held at Taree annually, booking a whole morning session to cater for her ladies.
In 1978, she also joined the Harrington branch of the Country Women's Association for relaxation and friendship, and was immediately elected as publicity officer.
A visit to the Manning River Times office saw the beginning of the first Harrington column. Many small groups became known because of the relentless search for news to submit.
Later, Gwen wrote a Harrington column for the North Haven Guardian, a free newspaper distributed to publicise Laurieton/North Haven area, which proved to be good ground to publicise Harrington.
In CWA Harrington branch, Gwen progressed through the positions of secretary, treasurer, international, cultural and publicity officer.
In the Mid North Coast Group of CWA, Gwen was elected to the position of group publicity officer, broadcast officer over Manning Broadcasting 2RE, Taree for 10 years, cultural officer, group secretary for a three-year term, leading the 20 branch secretaries within in the group which stretched from Nambucca Heads in the north to Bulahdelah in the south. She was also vice president of the group.
At State level of the Country Women's Association Gwen was awarded the Wagga Wagga Daily News Award for the best publicity officer in the State.
In the 1980s during low ebb of support for the Harrington Volunteer Fire Brigade, Gwen became secretary of the brigade, assisting to publicise and rejuvenate the brigade.
She later became president of a newly formed women's auxiliary of the fire brigade and held the position for three years.
Gwen also served three terms as a member of the Harrington Advisory and Liaison Committee to the Council.
When Lower Manning Historical Society was formed in November 1997, Gwen joined and assisted at static displays of memorabilia within the centre to create interest in the society.
When the National Parks and Wildlife called for volunteers for patrols to protect the annual nestings and breeding of Little Terns, she was there. Landcare called for volunteers for Bitou Bush Bashing and Gwen attended.
For 15 years, Gwen was secretary/treasurer of the Harrington United Services Club, each year organising and running the 11am Anzac Day service, march and luncheon that followed at the Harrington Hotel. All proceeds from the collection at the service and takings from the two-up game gave Gwen much pleasure when handing them over to Taree Legacy each year.
The United Services Club was disbanded and handed over to the newly formed local RSL Sub-branch. Gwen continued to assist wherever she could and in 2002 she was invited to give the Commemoration speech at the service.
On Clean Up Australia Day, she was there, registering the volunteers and dispensing cool drinks for all concerned, with the help of her CWA friends and Harrington Lions Club members.
Gwen is a silent supporter of Lansdowne Rural Youth, donating three prizes for their annual handicraft competitions.
Each year the Coopernook Wildflower Show saw Gwen and friend Neryl Steel helping out as entry secretaries.
She is an adjudicator at the annual amateur competition held at Harrington Bowling Club to raise money for the oncology department at Manning Hospital. The competition was the brainchild of another OAM recipient, June Redman
Gwen assisted preparing food for a barbecue luncheon for the annual Classic Bicycle Riders when they arrive in Harrington on their fund raising ride for the Westpac Helicopter Appeal.
One of her greatest joys was the writing, editing and production of Harrington School's magazine, The Pelican Post. Her encouragement to the students and the school staff was much appreciated. Production had to cease due to the increased costs in turning out the magazine.