Women in Cobar recognised with special luncheon
Wednesday March 18, 2009
Cobar woman of the Year Patsy Manns, mayor Lilliane Brady, courageous woman of the year Lois Delbridge and guest speaker MP Dawn Fardell.
Cobar has marked International Women’s Day in it’s own style with a luncheon and recognition of women in the community.
Mayor Lilliane Brady presented awards to Lois Delbridge (Courageous Woman of the Year) and Patsy Manns (Woman of the Year) at the luncheon at the Cobar Bowling and Golf Club on Monday.
More than 100 Cobar residents attended the luncheon, where State Member for Dubbo Dawn Fardell was the guest speaker.
Cr Brady said Mrs Manns has been a long term supporter of the Cobar community.
“Patsy and her parents were part of the driving force for the original pool.
“She is a life member of the Clay Target club, a patron of the show society, and has been involved with the Lilliane Brady village,” Cr Brady said.
“Mrs Manns also stepped up when there was an issue in the community and made a stand, with the doctors issue earlier this year,” Cr Brady said.
She said Mrs Delbridge was a worthy recipient of the courage award, after waking up one morning without her sight.
“She spent months in hospital, but has always remained most cheerful throughout,” Cr Brady said.
Mrs Fardell spoke about her background, as well as life as a woman in state and local politics.
She said when she first ran for Dubbo City Council on a ticket with others, she knew she was “the token woman”.
“I really didn’t expect to get in because I was fourth on the ticket, but I still did a lot of running around and was elected,” Mrs Fardell said.
“After that I wouldn’t form any allegiances on council, and I was criticised for being only good for asking questions, not ‘rubber-stamping’ anything.
“Along the way I learned that women look at things differently—we’re polite, and we go through the processes, but we just get straight to it,” she said.
Mrs Fardell said being in politics has also shown her that women still have “a long way to go”.
“[In politics] I get lots of criticism about my personal appearance.
“There’s also not enough women on boards,” she said.
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