THIRTY years on and Patricia Hall still remains dedicated to providing hope to the lives of many.
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Ms Hall, a St Georges Basin resident with ties to the Liverpool region, has been recognised numerous times throughout the years for her dedication to her community and for changing the lives of women through education and employment.
She was awarded with an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) in this year's Australia Day honours for her service to the community of Liverpool. For her, it represents the pinnacle of her life's work.
"This award means more than anything because it's for the whole of my community. It represents the culmination of about 31 years of work trying to help women," she said.
Ms Hall, through her career for the Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections (LNC), has created more than 5000 hours annually of employment for underprivileged women through a number of different social enterprises.
LNC has not only helped the lives of disadvantaged women but also those of migrants to overcome barriers surrounding employment, language and culture.
"You give these women a helping hand and engage them in something such as a TAFE course and you'll see them come to life. It changes their lives and it changes their family's too," she said.
She was quick to add that while she's given out a lot through her work she's also been given a lot back.
"When I see the difference, we can make in someone else's life, I realise our impact and reach and that's why I do what I do," she said.
Ms Hall's passion for her work came initially out of adversity when her marriage broke down.
"At the time I was just a clerical and there were two women who helped me. Without the support of them I can honestly say I would have died," she said.
"Their support really had a profound impact on me and I wanted to help women in the same way that I was helped."
Ms Hall has expressed nothing but gratitude for the nomination and is humbled to be acknowledged for something she truly feels passionately..about.
"It truly is special and I've been blessed with the career I've had."
Ms Hall has lived her life with the attitude of never judging anyone because there's always a story behind their actions, citing that through kindness and understanding we can help people to overcome so much.