Goulburn's Gill O'Connor has been recognised as a "visionary" in a major state award honouring contributions to Parkinson's Disease support.
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Mrs O'Connor received the Parkinson's Advocate of the Year Award for her "inventiveness and creativity in establishing and funding a local Parkinson's specialist nurse" for the area. The honour was announced as part of the inaugural Brian Sherman Memorial Awards program in Sydney on Tuesday, April 28.
"Gill is a visionary who quickly appreciated the value of a local Parkinson's specialist nurse then advocated tirelessly to see the role created and maintained through community funding," Parkinson's NSW CEO Mary Kay Walker said.
"Gill and husband Michael established the Goulburn Parkinson's Support Group in 2006 and over the long term, lifting its profile in the community and leading creative and sustained fundraising efforts."
The awards were created by the Sherman family with the assistance of Parkinson's NSW in honour of the late Brian Sherman AM, who had a distinguished career in business, animal advocacy and philanthropy in addition to being a Parkinson's advocate.
Dr Gene Sherman, widow of Brian Sherman, helped select award winners with other members and associates of the Sherman family.
"Gill O'Connor was a stand-out candidate for the inaugural Sherman Award for Advocate of the Year because of her energy, persistence and problem-solving abilities. She embodies many of the values and characteristics of my late husband," she said.
"Gill has been a tireless campaigner for the local Parkinson's community and has kept the spark of fundraising alive for the Parkinson's Specialist Nurse role over many years through positive engagement with the broader Goulburn community."
Mrs O'Connor said she felt "honoured, grateful and blessed" to receive the award. She attended the night with Michael, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at age 48 in the early 2000s, and their son, Cameron.
"I don't do it for recognition," she said of her advocacy.
"I do it to raise the awareness and understanding of those living with Parkinson's. Together, with a little kindness, patience and understanding, the lives of people with Parkinson's could be made a little better."
She thanked John and Jan McKinnon who nominated her and friends, family and community members who supported her.
"This award should not just be for me; Michael and I are a team effort, we always have been and we always will be," Mrs O'Connor said.
The couple and a hard working committee have raised thousands of dollars since the groups' formation. Each year they host the Shakin' Cocktail Party as a major fundraiser.
Their efforts resulted in Lauren Hogan's appointment as Parkinson's support nurse in 2022. Her employment is funded equally by the Southern NSW Local Health District and the support group.
Ms Hogan is employed three days a week and covers Goulburn, Yass, Crookwell and Queanbeyan. Her work involves face-to-face interactions, tele-health and educating hospital nurses about Parkinson's care.
Mrs O'Connor said the nurse's appointment was a key achievement that had made a difference to lives.
"Michael and I really wanted something for our region because Sydney was too far for people to travel," she said.
But she was quick to praise the Goulburn Workers Club for its support. Mrs O'Connor said she'd first approached the club about using its auditorium free of charge to host the Shakin' Cocktail dinner. They not only allowed this but donated $20,0000 annually since the event started some 12 years ago.
"We would never have secured Lauren without their help," she said.
Today, Ms Hogan has 115 clients on her books and the numbers are growing substantially, Mrs O'Connor says
Part of her role involves overseeing changes in medication and liaising with medical professionals.
Mrs O'Connor said continued awareness about the support group was vital, given the growing region. However, some people didn't know such help was available.
She and Michael will meet separately with people if potential members find a large roomful of people confronting.
"It's about getting the word out that we're there for them," Mrs O'Connor said.
Parkinson's is a progressive, degenerative condition of the central nervous system. Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson's. Symptoms include tremors, slow movement, stiffness and loss of balance. Also fatigue, apathy, depression, disturbed sleep, loss of sense of smell, and issues with speech and swallowing.
The awards attracted 30 nominations from across NSW in two categories - Advocate of the Year Award and Community Spirit Award. A winner and honourable mention were selected in each category.
- Parkinson's Disease sufferers and their families in Goulburn and District can contact Mrs O'Connor on 0418 168 558.Parkinson's NSW also provides essential services such as counselling, Support Groups, an InfoLine staffed by Registered Nurses, education, and fundraising for research. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by Parkinson's, while advancing towards a cure.
