Irene Hemsworth was honoured as a Freeman of the City last night.
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As a well-known citizen of Maitland, the 74-year-old has dedicated the past 60 years to helping others as a scripture teacher, exam supervisor, netball coach, swimming instructor, diving judge, Meals on Wheels volunteer and, more recently, a breast cancer advocate.
“Councillors it is my pleasure, in this mayoral minute, that this honour should be extended to Irene Hemsworth,” the mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore said.
Mrs Hemsworth gasped when Cr Blackmore revealed the honour.
“Anything I’ve done it’s because I’ve enjoyed it. I feel like everything I’ve given, I’ve got back,” she said.
Mrs Hemsworth has also been involved in church functions, cooking, sewing and organising readings, becoming a chalice assistant and has been a church warden for more than 10 years.
She and her late husband Jim, who was a long-serving council employee, maintained the grounds and gardens at St Paul’s in the Park for many years.
In 1989, she was Maitland Citizen of the Year.
Since having breast cancer five years ago, Mrs Hemsworth has organised a breast cancer fund-raiser each year, has entered Relay for Life each year, and is on the Maitland Women’s Cancer Support Committee.
Cr Blackmore used his mayoral minute at last night’s council meeting to nominate Mrs Hemsworth as a Freeman of the City.
The honour is awarded to individuals who have provided the highest level of service to the community.
It may be awarded for eminent achievement and merit in the highest order for service in Maitland, Australia or humanity.
“In my opinion, Irene Hemsworth is a citizen who displays and qualifies the necessary attributes for the granting of the highest award from council in accordance with the policy,” he said.
The last person to be made Freeman of the City was Hunter Valley Training Company founder Kay Sharp, in 2012.