The Clarence Valley’s leading social justice warrior and long term leader of the New School of Arts Neighbourhood Centre in South Grafton, Skye Sear has been awarded the title of 2019 ‘Clarence Electorate Local Woman of the Year’, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis, announced last Friday.

Mr Gulaptis visited Ms Sear and presented her with flowers, an official certificate and the heartfelt thanks of a grateful community.

“Picking the local Woman of the Year is always a tough choice given the enormous talent we have locally, but Skye redefines the expression ‘going above and beyond,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“Skye’s work ethic and achievements are incredible. She works tirelessly to make a difference for women, LGBTIQ, Aboriginal, mental health, community development, social justice, child protection, volunteering, social inclusion, health promotion, community governance, homelessness, suicide prevention, children’s services and youth wellbeing issues.

“Being passionate about developing local social infrastructure, I have worked with and admired Skye throughout my time as an MP,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“Skye is a passionate advocate for social inclusion. She not only listens, but works effectively and collaboratively to make things happen behind the scenes for the betterment of the community.

“She has taken a number of people under her wing including the people who are nominating her for this award, which is as much for them as it is for her.

“Skye has rejected a number of people’s calls for nomination of awards and hopefully she will accept this token of the community’s gratitude.

“In our eyes she is a social justice warrior in the truest sense of the word, and our community is all the richer having people like Skye in it,” Mr Gulaptis concluded.