2022 Wagga Wagga Local Woman of the Year

It was wonderful to announce Leonie White has been named as the 2022 Wagga Wagga Local Woman of the Year.

It was a pleasure to present this award in recognition of Mrs White's long history of service to her community.

It is during the hardest times, whether it is for individuals or the community, that her compassion shines.

An ordained Anglican deacon, Mrs White has worked in pastoral care at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital for more than 20 years, initially as a volunteer, then as assistant to the co-ordinator of pastoral care before she was ultimately appointed as co-ordinator.

She also serves as Anglican chaplain at Wagga Wagga’s Calvary Hospital. A part of the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, she also volunteered her time during the Black Summer Bushfires.

More recently, Mrs White has been confronted with the challenge of providing pastoral care during the COVID-19 lockdowns, which prevented many volunteers from being able to visit the hospital.

She was presented with the award this morning, during an International Women’s Day 2022 event I held with the the Wagga Women's Health Centre.