Tireless Clarence Valley community volunteer Ursula Tunks has been named the 2020 Clarence Electorate ‘Local Woman of the Year’, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis announced last week.

Mr Gulaptis visited Ms Tunks on Thursday and presented her a bunch of local flowers, an official certificate and the heartfelt thanks of a grateful community.

“Ms Tunks has been serving the local community for many years, including starting her ‘Mend and Make Do’ crew which have made more than 10,000 emergency care kits which are distributed by welfare organisations across the region to people in crisis,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“There was stiff competition as there is every year for the title, but what made the difference was the extraordinary extra effort Ursula and her team went to in order to help communities during the recent bushfires.

“The Mend and Make Do crew also produced more than two hundred crew kits for local firefighters containing everything from lip balm to muesli bars and toilet paper.

“What started out as a Facebook group in 2014 sharing ideas around recycling grew into an Op Shop that opened in South Grafton in 2016 and has gone leaps and bounds ever since.

“The crew also made home starter kits for disadvantaged families which include a full range of kitchen and linen supplies, funded by sales from the Op Shop.

“Ursula aims to give people a feeling of belonging and purpose and wants to make a difference to the lives of those who are doing it tough. 

“With International Women’s Day approaching on March 8, I salute Ursula, her crew and indeed all the women volunteers who make the Clarence and Richmond Valleys happier and safer places to live,” Mr Gulaptis concluded.