When this respected volunteer enters the room the conservations normal goes like this - ‘we need this Vel’ or ‘we need to get someone to this fire front Vel’ and the talk normally ends up with Mrs Walker gladly helping where she can.

State Member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock recently had the honour of presenting the award to Mrs Walker.

The award took Mrs Walker completely by surprise.

“All I knew was that Shelley was going to nominate me and that was back in October or something like that,” she said.

“I never gave it another thought until I got a call from Shelley’s office recently and I just thought it was for a visit to see Shelley.

“I was speechless, which is a bit different, when she told me I had won the award.

“I was absolutely wrapped and just could not believe it and could not get back quick enough to let my family know.”

She is a gracious and humble award winner.

“I always think there is somebody out there who probably does more than I do and they should be recognised,” she said.

“I don’t seek recognition - I do what I do because I love it.”

Mrs Walker said she just loves helping people which is why she is a long standing community volunteer.

The Local Woman of the Year for South Coast award sits well with the life membership award she also recently got from the Albatross Musical Theatre Company.

She is the type of person who will always help others in need.

“I can’t say no to somebody and if somebody asks me if I can do something I will. However, if I can’t give 110 per cent then don’t ask me,” she said

“I don’t know how I maintain my energy level and when ever I am busy I am alright.”

Mrs Walker has been a RFS volunteer for 27 years, been with the  Albatross Musical Theatre Company since 2007 and is the group’s treasurer, along with being front of house for productions.

“I love being front of house and meeting people,” Mrs Walker said.

The well respected volunteer also has a long-standing relationship with the Country Women’s Association.

Her CWA connection includes a long standing relationship with the group’s state choir.

Mrs Walker, with the CWA, went to the Royal Easter Show and was part of a team that helped bake an impressive number of scones.

“It was up to about 30 000 scones during my 11 years and I would say the total has certainly increased now,” she said.

“However, the CWA is more than just scones and jam and it brings people together.”

Mrs Walker sat on the CWA’s state executive and was also the local  group president.

She loves the CWA and Albatross Musical Theatre Company but she has a soft spot for the RFS.

“The RFS is like my second home and they have been absolutely fantastic to work with,” she said.

She is the local RFS’s logistics deputy and hopes to maintain her volunteer work for many more years to come.

Mrs Walker, with the Huskisson unit, even fought fires but decided she would best suited to the logistics role.