'True giver' guest

The Clarence Valley’s 2010 Australia day Ambassador

LITERACY and language pathologist Mary-Ruth Mendel has been named as the Clarence Valley’s Australia Day Ambassador for 2010.

Specialising in helping children and adults with literacy and learning difficulties, Ms Mendel established the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation as a philanthropic vehicle to address the huge number of people in need of help.

Chair of the 2010 Australia Day committee, Councillor Sue Hughes said it was an honour to have somebody of Mary-Ruth’s calibre visiting the Clarence Valley.

“Mary-Ruth is not only an expert in her field of literacy and language, she is a true giver, a real local hero and an inspiration for everyone,” she said.

Dedicating a large amount of time to helping Indigenous communities, Ms Mendel recently achieved a breakthrough that could save Aboriginal languages from extinction and boost literacy in Aboriginal communities.

Ms Mendel will acknowledge our heroes in the Australia Day celebrations at Minnie Water, and cook up a storm on the barbecue for the ‘Aussie’ luncheon.