An artist who has made it her mission to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia has been recognised as the 2022 Dubbo Electorate Woman of the Year.
Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders was joined by Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor at Saturday’s community leader’s breakfast to present this year’s award to Dubbo’s Lorraine Holland.
“Last year, Lorraine’s husband Alexander passed away after an 11-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease,” Mr Saunders said.
“Lorraine was his carer for nine of those years and, after his passing, has been determined to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and its impact on both sufferers and their families.’
An accomplished artist and gardener, Lorraine and her daughter Laura hosted the Holland Open Garden and Memory Makers Art Prize late in 2021.
People entering the art competition were asked to submit works drawing on a memory, with a written submission explaining the memory, in a nod to the devastating impact dementia and Alzheimer’s have on the cognitive capacity of sufferers.
“The initiative definitely got people talking – and raised $13,000 for the Dementia Australia Research Foundation and Opal Homestead Residential Care Community in Dubbo,” Mr Saunders said.
“Lorraine’s advocacy, and commitment to Alexander’s legacy, is an inspiration to us all.
“I’m proud to be able to name her as our 2022 Dubbo Electorate Woman of the Year!”
Congratulations very well deserved My Mum has Vacular Dementia Alzheimer’s and suffers with chronic pain so I know how hard it is to watch someone you love go from being a strong independant person to a shell of their former self