Cancer Council advocate named on state governments hidden treasure honour roll

LENNOX Head resident Monica Wilcox has been named on the state government’s Hidden Treasures Honour Roll in recognition of her work supporting cancer initiatives in the community.

Wilcox was nominated by Ballina MP Tamara Smith after previously being recognised as the electorate’s Local Woman of the Year.

“It was a definitely a surprise, I’m normally the one taking the photo rather than being in it,” Wilcox said.

“I’m always in the kitchen at parties or quietly helping make things happen.

“It was Tamara who pointed out that I’d always been quietly doing things behind the scenes.

“I looked at the nomination and thought, ‘geez, I do all that’. But it’s just what you do.”

Her volunteer work spans decades and multiple organisations, including advocating for improved services and better support for patients and their families for Cancer Council NSW.

She has also played a significant role with the Rainbow Region Dragon Boat Club, helping build what she describes as far more than a sporting club.

“When we started, people thought dragon boating was just for middle-aged women with breast cancer,” she said.

“We’ve worked really hard to build a group and activity that promotes inclusion, health and fitness across genders.”

Dedication and a sense of humour have helped her support hundreds of people along the way.

She has been involved with the Lennox Head Residents Association, established the local Boomerang Bags initiative to encourage recycling and community connection and has become involved with Landcare projects.

Wilcox said bringing people together had become the common thread through her volunteer work.

“People say my strength is getting all my ducks lined up in a row,” she said.

“Sometimes the ducks go astray, but you line them all back up again and connect people.”

Wilcox believes strong communities are built through connection, particularly by supporting women who often become the driving force behind local initiatives.

“If you’ve got healthy, supported women, they’re the ones who get things done in a community or hold a community together,” she said.