Elizabeth (Nan) Nalder believes strongly in helping others wherever she can, a value that recently granted her the highest recognition in Australia for outstanding achievement and service to the Gilgandra community; an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

Ms Nalder says she was overwhelmed to receive such an honour; surprised and humbled for the unexpected recognition. 

“It’s still taking me a while to adapt to it - I’d love to know who’s dobbed me in!” 

Ms Nalder was born and raised in the Gilgandra district and met her husband Robert at a Methodist youth camp. When they married, the pair lived on the family farm near the small village of Curban and began raising a family. 

It was around this time that her involvement in the community began to flourish. 

“The Red Cross has been my main outlet and I was President of the Curban Red Cross Branch and then when I moved into Gilgandra I took on being President of the club here in Gilgandra,” she said. 

Ms Nalder served as President of the Gilgandra Red Cross Branch in 2018-19 and again in 2019-20. She was recently awarded her 60 year member rosette. 

In addition to her long-serving work with the Red Cross, she has also volunteered her time with a multitude of different organisations, including the Cooee Lodge Aged Care Facility. 

As one of the original members of the ladies auxiliary at Cooee Lodge when it commenced in the mid-1980s, Nan spent time conducting fundraising events such as the Cooee Fair, catering for residents and offering hand and nail care activities. She is still a regular visitor at the facility, bringing a smile to all the resident’s faces. 

She is also a long-term active member of the local Uniting Church and assists with the fellowship of the church through singing, flower arranging, funeral service catering, visiting others who need a friendly word and playing the organ, which she also did at Curban when she lived there.

“I’m still the flower arranger at the church and we used to have choir at the church every Sunday which was great because I love singing,” said Ms Nalder. 

Her love of singing also inspired her involvement with the Gilgandra Entertainers; a group that would regularly put on theatrical performances. Nan participated enthusiastically both on and off stage, assisting with costumes, singing, props and anything else that needed to be done. 

Her efforts didn’t stop there. 

As president of the Women’s Bowling Club, her involvement over many years included travelling and driving ladies to many district towns to play competitions with other clubs, catering for bowls functions, flower arranging and participating in entertainment. 

Ms Nalder is also president of the local Probus club and an active volunteer at the Christian bookshop in town. 

“I’m very proud of the work I’ve done and my husband was always very supportive of me and he was the one who often pushed me in to some of those things so I’ve got to be very thankful for that,” she said. 

When asked about why she dedicates so many hours to community volunteering, she says there is no greater importance in life than helping others. 

Ms Nalder believes there is no greater joy in life than helping other people. PHOTO: Supplied.

“There are a lot of people around that need help and there’s always something you can do for them,” she said.

“You can change somebody’s outlook straight away by just saying hello… and if you laugh with them that’s another thing again!”

Her infectious spirit and caring nature make her a wonderful asset to her community to which she dedicates so many hours of tireless volunteering  - work that has now placed her name on the Australia Day 2023 Honours List.

Ms Nalder will receive her OAM later in the year at Government House in Sydney.