A volunteer, director and breastfeeding advocate for 30 years, Joy was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her years of community health and education service.
The Leeming resident said it was an honour to be recognised for her years of voluntary service describing the appointment as ‘very special’.
The mother of two now adult children, Ms Anderson said she breastfed both of them until they were two years old and she believed breastfeeding was critical to future health (physical and mental) of both mothers and babies.
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READ NOWMs Anderson has done jobs at all levels of the Australian Breastfeeding Association from group leader, to regional representative for Perth South Metro Region to being on the ABA board for four years.
‘Continuously since 1987, I have counselled mothers on behalf of the association, mostly by phone but also face-to-face,’ she said.
To this day, Ms Anderson continues to volunteer her time for a cause so close to her heart.
‘I still do two shifts a month as a volunteer on the now-national Breastfeeding Helpline, which is sponsored by the Federal Government.’
‘Awareness of the importance of breastfeeding is an issue that is worth fighting for, and a big part of this is helping to make it easier for mothers,’ she said.
‘It is pointless having everyone believe that breastfeeding is great without support for mothers at the grassroots level. This is where ABA is most relevant.’