Community Recognition Statement - Maitland Woman of the Year Barbara Heckman

24 March 2022

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland) (16:36): I congratulate Barbara Heckman, Maitland's Local Woman of the Year for 2022, on her outstanding contribution to Maitland for nearly 40 years. When Barbara moved to Maitland in 1984, she joined local community groups, including the East Maitland Girl Guides support committee and Maitland Meals on Wheels. She held a number of positions at Meals on Wheels, including president. When the organisation merged to become Maitland Community Care Services, Barbara helped to facilitate the merger, as well as continuing to operate a number of the activities of the new service. As president of the Maitland branch of the Country Women's Association [CWA] for the past seven years, Barbara has led the members' participation at the 2021 CWA State Conference in Bega, where a number of members won awards, as well as Maitland's slow food markets, Tocal Field Days and the Maitland Show. Under her leadership, the CWA has received a number of community grants to enable the club to continue its great work. She has also been a member of the Maitland Cancer Appeal Committee since 1987. On top of all of that, she has inspired me to learn how to make scones, after 20 years of not cooking or baking.