ONE of Moree’s hidden treasures has been uncovered.
Tian Harris has been added to the prestigious NSW Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, a state-wide initiative celebrating the invaluable contributions of rural women volunteers.
Tian is a familiar face to many for her years promoting Moree tourism, countless hours volunteering for community organisations and dedication to rural health as an administration assistant for local non-profit HealthWISE.
She volunteers with the State Emergency Service, Moree and District Historical Society, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Moree Evening VIEW Club – just to name a few.
She was also recognised for her work designing the Goanna Pathway in Jellicoe Park.
Tian shares her passion for the area with essential workers considering a tree change as the HealthWISE representative for the Moree Welcome Experience, an initiative connecting health,
education and government workers with everything from housing and childcare to local sports clubs.
Sometimes it’s as simple as taking people out for a coffee to introduce them to locals.
“We just wanted to try and grow our town because if you give to the community, the community will give to you,” Tian said.
It’s a cause close to Tian’s heart.
She saw the need for health and essential workers during her time in local government and tourism – a perspective that now shapes her work at HealthWISE, where she is a self-described ‘problem solver’ who helps connect people with vital health services.
“We have such a different variety of services – everything from our speech therapy right through to our diabetic educators, to mental health,” Tian said.
“Let’s face it, mental health affects everybody.”
HealthWISE is pioneering two pilot programs in Moree, funded by the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network.
The multi-disciplinary Diabetes Shared Care program helps locals manage their diabetes while the Supporting Recovery program assists domestic violence victim-survivors.
Tian endeavours to get to know everyone who walks through the door.
“If they see a friendly face, I think that puts them at ease,” she said.
Tian is no stranger to being recognised for her contributions to the Moree community.
She was named 2024 Northern Tablelands Local Woman of the Year for her years of volunteering, and efforts promoting the town’s rich heritage.
Humble to the end, when the Premier’s department called, and called the office of then-Northern Tablelands member Adam Marshall to double check.
“There were 550 people at the ceremony . . . and little old me,” Tian laughed.
Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, announced the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll for 2024 during National Volunteer Week – May 19-25 – and congratulated all 74 women and girls newly enshrined.
“The resilience you have shown has kept your communities thriving,” she said.
“Your strength and spirit have shone through even in tough times and the stories behind each nomination highlight just how important their work is.
“Each year, we are inspired by the nominations from your peers – fellow community members –which honour you and the vital role you play in their lives,” she said.
The Rural Women’s Network will host a volunteer thank-you event featuring the minister in Port Macquarie, with a date to be announced.
