But for her prolific volunteering in the Tungamah community Debbie Hayes has been named the Moira Shire Star Achiever of the Year Award recipient for 2024.
Ms Hayes is a well-known member of her community, and her knowledge of Tungamah is said to be matched only by her commitment to the town and its population.
She often shares the town’s history through volunteering at the Historical Society and said visitors were fascinated about the town’s vibrant past.
“We recently had a group of school kids come through and listen about the town's past,” she said.
“They sat there for an hour, captivated, and did not move.”
Ms Hayes’ dedication to education also extends to volunteering to help tidy up at the local primary school.
Like many across the region, Ms Hayes has a strong passion for sport and her local sporting club, Tungamah.
This passion has seen Ms Hayes make invaluable contributions to the local football and netball club, where she has played, coached and umpired.
She has also served as the club’s secretary and president.
Ms Hayes’ volunteering spirit extends to other sports too, and she has contributed significantly to the growth of the local tennis club.
Asked how she managed all the volunteering, Ms Hayes said her family was invaluable.
Considering her nomination, the judging panel described Ms Hayes as exemplifying resilience, community spirit and an unwavering dedication to the betterment of the Moira Shire.
In their judgement, the panel said Ms Hayes was the quintessential model citizen.
The award winner said she was surprised to win and said those nominated for the award probably did more than her.
Like all volunteers, Ms Hayes strongly believes that volunteers receive just as much as they give and that helping the community allowed one to grow as a person.
“You learn how to get along with people, talk to people and share ideas,” she said.
As for anyone considering volunteering, Ms Hayes said it made a real difference in people’s lives.
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