Geoff Helisma
Sally Rogers and her association, Happy Paws Haven Inc, have been nominated for the Awards Australia Connecting Communities Award at the NSW/ACT Community Achievement Awards.
Finalists will be presented, and winners announced, at a “gala presentation dinner on Friday November 25, 2022”.
“The Awards Australia Connecting Communities Award recognises grassroots, ‘real life’ initiatives (led by local community groups or not-for-profits) that demonstrate genuine involvement, long-term value and add to the life of their community,” a media release states.
“These initiatives foster a strong sense of community spirit, which plays a vital role in enhancing the way people connect in their community.”
Happy Paws Haven (HPH) was established in 2006, and since that time over 3,000 animals have been rescued, with approximately 200 being rehomed each year.
“Our organisation is different from other rescue groups for several reasons,” the nomination states.
“We are a no-kill shelter, committing to every animal in our care until we can find the right home for them, no matter how long it takes.
“We will never euthanise a sociable, healthy or treatable companion animal.
“No animal leaves HPH without having been desexed, immunised, chipped, treated for common parasites and vet-checked.
“When an animal arrives at HPH, every effort is made to ensure that it does not in fact belong to someone and, if it is brought in to be surrendered, the ownership is carefully checked before accepting the animal.”
Nominations were received in the following categories:
- NSW Government Crown Land Management Excellence Award
- NSW Government Individual Excellence in Crown Land Management Award
- NSW Government Council Crown Land Management Excellence Award
- Ricoh Australia Customer Service Award
- TransGrid Leadership Award
- Fairmont Resort Small Business Award
- Awards Australia Connecting Communities Award
Category winners will receive $2,000 in prizes and a trophy.
For her part, Sally Rogers said, “I always think it’s wonderful that people spend the time to do that stuff and recognise the organisation – but I see it as an award for the work our team puts in.”