Norma Allen has been added to the 2014 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, which acknowledges women’s volunteer roles in contributing to rural communities.

On Saturday she was one of the 153 women announced for the roll at the 2014 NSW Rural Women’s Gathering in Coolamon, Southern NSW.

“I nominated her mostly because of the work she does in the community, and I know she does a lot at home as well,” her friend Coral Vorbach said.

“Every day she goes out helping people who are sick - she cooks meals for them.

“She’s one of those community people.”

Ms Allen was born in 1927 and grew up in the Bega Valley before marrying her husband Jack in 1946 and raising four children together.

She has been volunteering in the community for the past 60 years, involved in such organisations as the Cobargo Agriculture Show, Cobargo Cricket Club, Bermagui Senior Citizens, Yuin Folk Club, Cobargo Garden Club and the Bega Medallion Committee.

“The reason why I like to help is because [my husband] Jack always said if you live in a community that needs help, don’t sit back and complain – get up and do what you can,” Ms Allen said.

“I just enjoy doing what I do and I help out when I can help.”

She volunteered her time at the Narira Retirement Village and fundraised for the Cobargo swimming pool.

She was a steward at the Cobargo AP&H Society for over 50 years, and a judge at the Royal Easter Show for more than 20 years.

In her early 20s she became involved in judging cookery, and for 18 years was part of the State Land Cooking Committee which travelled “all over” teaching many people how to judge.

Ms Allen was involved with the CWA for 60 years, and is now a patron of the Cobargo branch.

Ms Vorbach is the treasurer of the Yuin Folk Club, and she and Ms Allen are busy assisting the planning of the next Cobargo Folk Festival, which last year brought around $500,000 into the local economy.

Ms Allen is part of the “PR” section of the festival as she looks after the festival shop, selling CDs and providing information for visitors.

“Norma is just great to work with, she’s very cooperative,” Ms Vorbach said.

“Any suggestions that she puts up are always very practical.”

And what will Ms Allen be doing in the future?

“Just keep on doing what I’m doing, while I can,” she said.

“My family are very important to me and I am very blessed that I now have 19 great-grandchildren - they’re a great joy.”