Lions International is celebrating its centenary this year with a special postage stamp released for Australia, depicting caring around the world and keeping the global heart warm.

To celebrate this event locally, Dungog Lions presented a Community Service Award to Sarah.

Lions President Lesley Wright described Sarah as “an example of someone who embodies caring for the local community and keeping its heart warm”.

“The centre’s motto ‘Together a Stronger Community’ underpins Sarah’s work,” said Mr Wright.

“This was no better exemplified than during and after the catastrophic weather event which hit Dungog and district on April 21, 2015 resulting in the loss of three lives, and leaving hundreds needing housing, support and care.

“Despite living in a severely damaged house herself, Sarah and her crew swung into immediate action, voluntarily working long hours without any extra pay to co-ordinate the immediate response effort.

“After the immediate crisis was over, Sarah was able to obtain a grant to help roll out ‘Project Bounce Forward’, with a part-time Project Officer employed to support a recovery and renewal program for the area.

“The message for the community has been ‘stand strong, stand proud and stand together’, and Dungog Lions, together with the Australian Lions Foundation, were consequently delighted to award Sarah for her role in this achievement of community resilience.”

Lions Zone Chairperson Denise Bruce and her husband Alec travelled from Gloucester to present the award to Sarah at the Royal Hotel on June 15 in the presence of her parents Tom and Mon Boorer.

Sarah said she was humbled by the award, acknowledged the support of her team, and said she had learned much from the human stories of love and caring by complete strangers.