By Charlene Macaulay
A life-long Werribee woman who has dedicated more than 60 years of her life to volunteering in her community has been named Wyndham’s 2017 Citizen of the Year.
Daphne Womersley has spent more than six decades as a leader with the Werribee Guides, volunteered with St John’s Ambulance for the past 47 years and been a member of the Red Cross for 35 years and is involved with the Country Women’s Association and Wyndham Ladies Auxiliary.
Ms Womersley, who has lived in the same Werribee house her dad built her entire life, said she loved working with young people and dedicated all of her spare time to her causes.
“I started out because my mother belonged to some of them, and I used to have to take her places, so I just carried on,” she said. “People need help … I will volunteer for as long as I possibly can while my health lets me.”
Ms Womersley said she was “amazed” to be named citizen of the year and would donate the award money to Werribee Guides and Assistance Dogs Australia.
Wyndham mayor Henry Barlow said Ms Womersley was an inspiration.
“Daphne may be in her 80s, but this has not slowed her down or stopped her from giving her all to the community,” he said.
Other winners of Wyndham’s community volunteer awards include John Campbell (Community Health and Wellbeing Award), Shirley Cameron (Culture, Arts and Tourism Award), Jeuss Polandaya (Environment and Sustainability Award), Geoff Gook (Sport and Recreation Award), Wishhasad Somawansa (Young Volunteer of the Year) and the Wyndham Anzac Project volunteers (Community Group Award).
