Paula Newton with Community Newspaper Group editor-in-chief Greg Thomson and Seasons general manager Erin Erceg.
Camera IconPaula Newton with Community Newspaper Group editor-in-chief Greg Thomson and Seasons general manager Erin Erceg. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Community work hailed

Felicity Bond, Melville TimesMelville Gazette

The mother of six is the winner of the Seasons Community Champions Award following an online public vote.

Ms Newton is the mother of a handicapped child and founded several support groups for parents of children with disabilities.

She was one of eight finalists for the community award scheme, which is supported by the Community Newspaper Group and recognises unsung heroes who help others.

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‘My daughter nominated me for the award and I am overwhelmed and blown away by the support and encouragement I have received from the community,’ she said.

Ms Newton, who has recently moved to Northam, received the most votes for the community work she performed throughout the City of Melville while living in Willagee.

Her community work includes setting up a support group for parents of children with special needs through the Office of Disability Services and creating a Facebook group where parents can compare their stories and check common complaints about their child’s condition.

Ms Newton also successfully campaigned for the City of Melville to advertise that children with disabilities were able to attend holiday recreation programs.

Ms Newton said her $2000 cash prize went straight to fixing her car.