MEDIA RELEASE
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PO Box 20156 World Square NSW 2002 P 02 9280 4744 F 02 9280 4755 E contact@carersnsw.asn.au
22 October 2010
*A carer is any individual who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend
who has a disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependencies, chronic condition,
terminal illness or who is frail. In NSW there are 750,000 carers.
Carers NSW congratulates NSW carers* on their Local Carer Awards
Over 100 carers, carer support groups and organisations that support carers across New
South Wales have been awarded a Local Carer Award to be presented by their local Member
of Parliament during 2010 Carers Week.
“Carers NSW congratulates the carers, the carer support groups and the organisations that
support carers on receiving their award,” Carers NSW CEO Elena Katrakis said.
“These new Local Carer Awards introduced by Minister for Disability Services, Peter
Primrose and the NSW Government acknowledge the enormous social and economic
contribution of carers in New South Wales, and importantly they will also help raise
awareness of carers in their local communities.”
“Many carers who were nominated for an award told Carers NSW that other carers deserved
an award more than they did, and that they were humbled by their nomination.”
“One carer said that she didn’t know that she could receive support for many years and
accepted her nomination so other carers in a similar situation might know that they too can
get support for their caring role.”
“Carers NSW would also like to thank people and organisations who nominated carers for
these awards as an important step in acknowledging the dedication of carers who care for
others in NSW,” Ms Katrakis said.
The awards reflect the diversity of carers and their caring situations, with Aboriginal carers
and service providers, culturally and linguistically diverse carers and carer support groups,
and carers in metropolitan Sydney and rural areas in the state receiving an award.
During Carers Day Out in Martin Place, Sydney on Tuesday 19 October the NSW Premier,
Kristina Keneally MP, awarded a Local Carer Award to the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group
for their work to improve outcomes for Aboriginal men and youth in Sydney, many of whom
are Aboriginal male carers.
During 2010 Carers Week, from 17 to 23 October, over 200 activities are happening around
New South Wales to celebrate carers and to provide a break from their caring role.
For further information or enquiries, or to arrange an interview:
Media contact: Jane Witcombe Carers NSW phone 9280 4744 or
Elena Katrakis CEO on mobile 0421 057 305
NEWS 
