SHE gave a voice to drought ravaged farmers, kickstarted fundraising campaigns and fought to turn the heads of politicians.
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Now Belinda-Jane Davis’ hard work and determination has been recognised with her named as Maitland’s Citizen of the Year.
“I’m feeling extremely humbled by being named Citizen of the Year. It’s an incredibly lovely honour that the community has bestowed upon me, and I’m very grateful,” the local journalist said.
“I am also very thankful to the other nominees. The caliber of the other nominees was absolutely amazing.
“Everyone in their own way is doing what they can to make this community a better place, and also other communities. We are very lucky in Maitland, we’ve done amazing things – from changing legislation to helping communities.
“Maitland has always been one of those; we can do it communities.”
In 2018, Ms Davis won a Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism for her drought campaign, The Big Dry.
The campaign, which she started in February last year, highlighted the devastation of the drought on farmers in the Hunter and across NSW.
It was launched in the Mercury in conjunction with the Newcastle Herald and Fairfax Media’s Lower Hunter mastheads, before spreading across the state.
Ms Davis also helped launch Buy a Bale fundraising campaign which have raised more than $20 million.
She also organised a drought petition with over 10,000 signatures that called on the NSW government to do more for our farmers.
But Ms Davis said her work wasn’t done yet, and she wouldn’t be slowing the momentum on the campaign or her focus on helping drought affected farmers.
“The drought is not over. Conditions are still very severe in a lot of parts of the state,” she said.
“Water is a massive issue which we’ve seen with the fish kills but also here with lower dam levels.
“This isn’t just about the farmers, but our entire food system and security – whether you’re on the land or not.
“We need to keep working together to make a difference because if we all keep doing a little bit that’s how we create massive change, and a better future for our farmers and all of us.”
Ms Davis was presented with her award at the city’s Australia Day celebrations at Maitland Park on Saturday.
Other nominees included Pastor Bob Cotton, Abby Crawford, Amanda Fenn, Carolyn Gregg, Christine Kidd, Dave Powell, Stewart Sherman, Kevin Short and Wilma Lilley.
