What would communities be without volunteers such as Wattle Range Council’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year award winner Sue Lines?

This mover and shaker has been getting things done for the benefit of not just one community, but two.

Over the past 40 years she has dedicated a countless number of hours to her home community of Tantanoola and also extends her time to benefit those in Millicent.

Sue is not just any random unknown to me.

I have known her for the past 15 years and have fondly come to call her mum.

Trust me when I say she was undoubtedly very deserving of the recognition of being awarded Citizen of the Year.

She was recognised at the Australia Day community breakfast at Millicent where deputy mayor Peter Dunnicliff shared the outstanding contributions made by Sue.

Among her present contributions are the Tantanoola Playgroup, Tantanoola Progress Association, Tantanoola Uniting Church, Millicent Women’s Football (Soccer) and Millicent United Soccer clubs.

Her past contributions included community movie nights at Tantanoola Primary School, Tantanoola Netball Club, Millicent gymnastics and Little Athletics.

She has been a family day care provider, disability support worker and student support officer.

All this while raising her three children and supporting her husband Ian run their family owned and operated business, Holla Fresh.

“Sue is an extremely active member of the community, working tirelessly to ensure our services in our small country town remain,” Cr Dunnicliff said.

“These services are wide and varied, helping to meet the needs of all ages within the Tantanoola and Millicent communities.”

Not only had some of these services been revitalised by Sue, she also co-founded the Millicent Women’s Football Club in 2008.

Words such as passionate, committed, compassion, giving incredible care and support, were used to describe Sue to those attending at the community event.

In her acceptance speech Sue said it has not been a solo effort.

“I have worked with many people involved in the groups I have been a part of.

“Thank you,” she said.

Sue gave special mention to her parents Daryl and Raelene Major who she said set an example for her as a young child.

“My parents set an example for me as a young child of giving and volunteering in their local community, who, now in their 80s, continue to volunteer,” she said.

She also thanked her children, Kimberley, Paul and Michelle, for also supporting her by joining in whatever job needed to be done.

Her final thank-you was an emotional one where she held back tears to acknowledge her husband.

“Lastly a sincere and special thank you and appreciation to my husband who always encourages, supports and joins me in this journey,” she said.

Though it is true Sue’s contributions have not been a solo effort, I can attest to it is her drive and her motivating attitude that prompts for things to get done.

She does not put tickets on herself.

She is always a team player and acknowledges the efforts of others before herself.

Without her as the backbone of all the work that has and continues to be done for our communities, I doubt much would be achieved.

Her list of contributions over the past four decades was spread across two pages as those who attended the Millicent Aussie Day community breakfast heard of just how dedicated she is.

Sue is a rare breed and I believe we should all acknowledge and truly show our appreciation for her.

I am grateful to have her in my life.

I feel very blessed to have her as a confidante, friend and inspiration.

I have seen first-hand the amount of dedication she puts in.

Somehow, she manages to make a lot happen, quite a lot.

It’s spread across two communities.

From sports clubs to schools, community organisations, and as well as helping families.

She is involved in so many things, and what is a credit to her is that getting jobs done are not half-baked.

They are with genuine intent aiming for the best results for the community.

Among all this she has her own family, adult children and young grandchildren.

And although I’m just a ring in, she always has time for me and my two little gremlins too.

Thank you Sue for all that you do.