Berrigan's Hidden Treasures recognised

And that is what made both women perfect candidates for recognition in the 2021-22 NSW Rural Women’s Network Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

Hidden Treasures are rural women from across NSW who are acknowledged for their service and time dedicated to their community - and this year, Berrigan has two.

Berrigan Red Cross president Marion Dickins has known Mrs Petzke and Mrs Way the whole time she’s lived here, and says she is the one who submitted nominations for both.

“They are both hidden treasures and have worked tirelessly for their communities,” she said.

Mrs Dickins said both women are very worthy of the nomination and that she was delighted when she heard they had been added to the honour roll.

Mrs Way is described as someone who supports her community and volunteers to make life better for all who live in it.

Born in Jerilderie, she spent her formative years living within the small communities of Jerilderie, Berrigan, and Finley.

She married a local farmer and together they raised a family of four.

Mrs Way has dedicated most of her life to supporting her local community and is “very involved” with the Tidy Towns program and Jerilderie Chamber of Commerce, including as its president for many years.

She has been a recipient of several state awards for her work to date.

In 2012, health challenges saw the Ways retire to Berrigan, where Mrs Way continued her work and became a member of the Berrigan Tidy Towns committee.

She was successful in obtaining several grants, resulting in the ‘Don't Be a Tosser’ town signs and waste bags, garbage bins for the sportsground waste management and the Railway Walking Track and gate programs.

Led by Mrs Way, Berrigan received second place when it entered the tidy towns' competition. She is also a big supporter of the tidy town clean up days.

“I'm passionate about reducing the amount of litter around our town and on our roadsides,” she said.

“I think that has helped let people know, and make them aware, to keep rubbish in your car, put it in the garbage bin and don't be a tosser.”

In 2017, Mrs Way led a group towards the establishment of a community garden, which came to fruition the following year and continues to be a resounding success.

Her ongoing volunteer work with the Berrigan Heritage Museum has also been highly valued by the museum and community.

Mrs Way is also an active member of the Aged Care Auxiliary where she has been a cosmetic carer for residents.

Mrs Way said she was “very overwhelmed" when she first found out that she had been added to the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

“I opened it and I thought, oh my glory,” she said.

“I don't do this for recognition.

“I do this for the betterment of the town and our whole community.”

Mrs Petzke is described as someone who does a lot of work in the background supporting people, that not many are aware of.

Born and educated in Finley, Mrs Petzke and her husband farm a large property 20km north of Berrigan, and have five adult children and eight grandchildren.

Driven by her strong faith, Mrs Petzke is a devout member of her church and taught scripture at the Berrigan Primary School for 38 years.

She is known for her extreme generosity to the Berrigan and surrounding communities, with her love of cooking helping to fill many locals bellies over the years.

Mrs Petzke has also dedicated more than 20 years to making costumes for the annual school plays, with her expertise being sought from the local school in Berrigan as well as Jerilderie, Barooga, Finley, and Tocumwal.

“I just love doing it for kids' reactions to costumes,” she said.

“I've got a spare house, thank goodness, where I keep all the costumes, because there are just too many for me to cope with otherwise.”

Mrs Petzke’s volunteer hours and monetary contributions are described as “exceptional”, with many years of also offering sewing and craft classes at the Berrigan Primary School.

Those who know her say she is a “very generous to friends in their hour of need”, often driving them to medical appointments, and volunteers her time to make a difference to other people’s lives.

When Mrs Petzke found out that she had been added to the Hidden Treasure Honour Roll, she said it was a very beautiful moment.

She admitted she had “actually been quite ill” for eight months prior, but is “a lot better now”.

“I felt humbled receiving this award for doing the things that I love doing,” she said.

Both women said they were thankful to Mrs Dickins for nominating them, and will continue to be actively involved in their community.