Five Clarence Valley women have been recognised in the 2018 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll out of just 87 individuals across regional and rural New South Wales, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

Hidden Treasures is an annual initiative of the NSW Government’s Rural Women’s Network which recognises the outstanding efforts of women volunteers and promotes the valuable role of volunteering to the community.

“Volunteering helps form the fabric of communities particularly in small rural towns where resources can be limited.

“Hidden Treasures is an opportunity to pay tribute to country women who don’t seek recognition, but who richly deserve it for the tireless contribution they make to a wide range of social and community organisations and initiatives,” Mr Gulaptis said.

This year’s Hidden Treasures are Leonie Blain and Val Wood from Grafton, Nerida Ellem from Kangaroo Creek, Rose Field from Woombah and Chantal Kemsley from Glenreagh.

Mr Gulaptis said the Government was spending record funding on physical infrastructure like the Pacific Highway but he was just as passionate about what he called social infrastructure.

“It is women like this group of five volunteering day in, day out who enhance our social infrastructure and we are all very grateful for their efforts,” Mr Gulaptis said.

Mr Gulaptis formally recognised the five Hidden Treasures at a morning tea he hosted in his electorate office this morning.

Stories about each of the five women and their contributions to their local community can be found in the Hidden Treasures honour roll attached.