Danna Nelse became a community service worker because she loves helping people and her work has seen her become an advocate for her industry.
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The Barrack Heights resident has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through social welfare organisations on Australia Day.
Ms Nelse said she was honoured to receive the “unexpected” accolade.
She started her career as a youth worker before coming a mother and is now a community development manager at the Rail Neighborhood Association.
“I have been at the Albion Park neighbourhood centre for 30 years,” she said.
“Neighbourhood centres are often residents’ first point of contact for service organisations. They provide information, support and referrals.
“We tell people the closest dentist, hospital, services for fleeing domestic violence, homeless centres and we help them pay bills or give them referrals to food assistance.”
Ms Nelse said people sometimes needed assistance or someone to listen to them.
“People who are disadvantaged are often the most genuine and resilient,” she said. “It is amazing to see a smile on their face.”
Ms Nelse helped established the Community Industry Group, which used to be known as the Illawarra Forum, 25 years ago.
She is the treasurer and the group lobbies governments on behalf of its members, which are community service and not-for-profit organisations.
“The group has always been based in the Illawarra,” she said. “We represent organisations in the Illawarra because we understand the issues important to them.
“I hope my work helps provide better community service organisations for my grandchildren’s generation.”
Ms Nelse thanked the staff and volunteers she worked with over the years.
“I hope other people in the volunteering and community service sector take pride in this award,” she said. “It belongs to all of us in the community service sector.”
Ms Nelse has been a member for numerous other service groups and boards in the Illawarra including the Illawarra Youth Housing Board, Local Community Services Association, CHAIN Youth Health Centre Board.
Ms Nelse was also a member and former chair of the Shellharbour Women for a Safer Community Board, a former chair for the Warilla Women's Health Centre and is a state committee member of the Australia Services Union.
