a woman standing in a formal garden. She is an older woman and wearing a medal.

Coffs Harbour Pink Ladies President Helen Mears proudly wears her Medal of the Order of Australia after being presented the honour by the NSW Governor in Sydney.

Helen Mears OAM a guest of NSW Governor

Apr 21, 2023

After being named in the Australia Day honours list in January, Coffs Harbour Pink Ladies President Helen Mears has been presented her Medal of the Order of Australia by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales.

The investiture ceremony was held at Government House Sydney on Wednesday.

Helen was accompanied by her husband Paul, daughter Louise and granddaughter.

“It was a fantastic day,” Mrs Mears said.

“Government House is amazing and there were a lot of military people receiving their awards too.

“The pomp and ceremony just made the day extra special!”

Helen’s national honour recognises more than 40 years’ service to the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW – the entire four-plus decades as a member of the Coffs Harbour Pink Ladies, including more than 30 years as branch president.

Following the pageantry of Government House on Wednesday, Helen was serving customers in the Pink Ladies Café at CHHC on Thursday.

Never one to let an opportunity go by, Helen said the Pink Ladies were desperate for new members to join the café roster and urged anyone who had spare time on their hands to contact her. She can be found at the café or Pink Ladies gift shop Monday to Friday.

Anyone wanting to help can also email sharon.fuller1@health.nsw.gov.au

Two older people standing in front of an old standstone building.

Helen and Paul Mears arrive at Government House in Sydney, ready for the investiture ceremony.

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