Award recognise good Stratford citizens

Kerry Mramor is one of two Stratford residents to receive a 2018 Stratford District Citizen's award.

A strong faith combined with a compassionate heart keeps Kerry Mramor busy doing plenty of good in Stratford, a town she says she has loved living in through the years.

Kerry is one of two recipients of the Stratford District Council Citizens Award for 2018, an honour she says left her speechless to begin with.

"I was just gobsmacked. Absolutely speechless. I was thinking who the hell set this up? When I find out there's going to be hell!"

Mayor Neil Volzke says Kerry's award recognises the many hours she has spent through the years helping others.

"Kerry has given up countless hours of her own personal time to help people in our community. The support and care role she has played for so many people has really made a difference to people in our community." Kerry says giving back to the community is simply part of life.

"I started helping out at the school (St Joseph's) when my daughters went there. Since then, off and on through the years I've often gone and helped in classes where I can. A few years ago I went back as a kind of grandmother helper."

Kerry is very much part of school life at St Joseph's, where the children all call her Nanny Woo and love having her in their classes.

It's not just the younger residents of Stratford who benefit from Kerry's dedication to helping where needed, Kerry also does a lot for the older residents of the town as well.

From helping with Meals on Wheels to picking up elderly members of the community to take them to their GP visits, Kerry gives lots of her time to ensuring elderly people aren't isolated or lonely.

She also organises a popular social gathering for senior citizens every month, and organising and distributing Christmas presents for those in need.

Kerry has been president of the Vincent De Paul society for the last decade,getting involved through church. Kerry says her many volunteer activities have come about from her seeing a need or being asked to help one time.

"When you've got the time, you give the time." Kerry is also involved with Stratford Community Foodbank and says there is certainly plenty of demand for the help.

With so many demands on her time, Kerry still finds time for her own hobbies and interestsincluding playing table tennis, and she is a member of the local table tennis club.
'It's good fun, a nice way to stay active."