Talented Dandenong artist and charity worker Ruth Harnett, who celebrates her 86th birthday in October, has received a second award for her years of work fund-raising for the Red Cross.
Not only has Ruth been honoured with a 10-year medal, but now has received a second bar, marking a total of 20 years’ service to Red Cross.
Over the two decades, she has not only served as the Dandenong Unit of Red Cross president but also as treasurer and secretary. In all these roles, she has had the ongoing support from her husband and son as well as other relatives, including daughter-in-law, Brenda.
Ruth grew up on a farm her parents owned in Longwarry North in West Gippsland. She has two grandchildren, Daniel and Zoe, and still paints as a hobby and also plays croquet.
TRADE MISSION
In her reports of her busy lifestyle on behalf of the City of Greater Dandenong, mayor Angela Long related in the September issue of the city’s monthly magazine details of her recent visit to Dandenong’s sister city Xuzhou in China. She described her visit as having a “cultural” and economic” impact. She said Dandenong’s ongoing relationship with China through the Sister City link has helped strengthen Dandenong’s trade, manufacturing and cultural sectors.
She said: “This year’s visit was my tenth to Xuzhou, eight of which I have paid for myself, and I strongly believe in the value of the Sister City program.
“During this year’s trip we visited the region’s industrial areas where we networked with the local business community and had some positive conversations about trade links between our cities.
“One of the factories we visited was an Australian company that makes rolling stock for the transportation of iron ore in Western Australia.
“Another visit was to a Chinese company in relation to the Asian gateway project to be built in Springvale. The company has built Asian gateways all over the world.”
During the trip, Cr Long said she was was privileged to be made an honorary citizen of Xuzhou at a ceremony conducted by the chairperson of the Municipal People’s Congress.
There are 49 members of the Congress and mayor Long believes the decision to make her a honorary citizen was unanimous.
These awards are usually made on their national day which is in September, but because Cr Long’s visit was in July, they made the special presentation early.
“I am very honoured to have received the award,” wrote Cr Long.
