Gladys Whatson

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—Congratulations to Gladys Whatson on her 2024 Jean Arnot Recognition Award. Gladys attended Telarah Public Primary School and left school at 14. Her first job at 16 was at Miss Barber's making buttons, then as a waitress in a café in Boronia, Maitland and as a kitchen maid and a waitress at the Imperial Hotel. Gladys' next role was working for eight years at the tobacco factory in Morpeth. She was married at age 18 years and had three children. Gladys has volunteered at St Vincent de Paul in East Maitland for 35 years and is still doing so one day a week. They will not let her retire saying 'there won't be as many people coming in if she is not there! Gladys also crochets and knits rugs, socks and beanies for the homeless. Gladys raises money through garage sales for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and is very involved with the Uniting Church of East Maitland where with a group she makes pies, jam and pickles which are sold once or twice a year. She was proudly nominated by her carer Fay Mary Welch. Congratulations Gladys on this recognition.