COMMUNITY NEWS
Riverstone names ‘ Woman of the Year ’
GLENWOOD ’ S Rissa McInnes has been named 2018 Riverstone Woman of the Year .
Announcing the award , MP for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the awards were designed to recognise inspiring female role models and to profile women who have demonstrated excellence in their career and women " who made significant contributions to their community .
" I congratulate Rissa on her outstanding achievement and thank her for her exceptional example as an energetic and motivated volunteer in our community ," Mr Conolly said .
Ms McInnes is a volunteer in her local community , working tirelessly to grow the Lions Club presence in the local area .
She has held positions on various nonprofit organisation boards such as a director of the PCC ( Philippine Community Council ) NSW , 1st vice president of Blacktown City Lions Club .
Ms McInnes was instrumental in the foundation of Blacktown Ponds Lions Club , where she currently serves as membership chairwoman . She is a Director of Aguman
Kapampangan Australia Inc .
Ms McInnes organised a ' Family Fund Day ' in the local community which raised about $ 20,000 in donations that went to Caritas for the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines .
She helped raise another $ 20,000 through the Lions Club which was used to help restore three schools in the same affected area .
Further , she has assisted other charitable programs intended to help malnourished children in the poorer parts of the Philippines also .
As a member of Lions Club , she continues to help raise funds for local schools , hospitals and Lions foundations such as Australian Lions Children ’ s Mobility Foundation , Hearing Dogs , Children ’ s Cancer Research and to donate toys to the and under privileged children of the Blacktown Local Government area .
Rissa McInnes receiving her award from Mr . Kevin Conolly , MP for Riverstone . ( Photo supplied )
“ I am very proud to nominate Rissa McInnes as the Riverstone 2018 Local Woman of the Year and it is truly a privilege to be able to acknowledge the great work she has done and is continuing to do in our community ” Mr Conolly said . • www . kalatas . com . au AK NewsMagazine , Vol 8 No 6 | MARCH 2018 15