Mrs Liebenberg was travelling overseas when the awards were held at the end of July.
Originally nominated for Volunteer of the Year - which she did not win - Lourene was later singled out by MLHD board chair Adrian Lindner for his special award.
Mrs Liebenberg received the award for her role with the Deniliquin Local Health Advisory Council, and Mrs Thorne said she was “an incredibly motivated individual and deserves this award”.
Mr Linder said it was a difficult task to select the winner, because of the “positive impact our teams and services have on people”.
But he agrees Mrs Liebenberg’s efforts were deserving of recognition.
Accepting the award on Lourene’s behalf on the night of the awards was her friend and Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group colleague Alison Thorne.
But when Lourene registered for last week’s biannual LHAC forum, Mr Linder saw it as his opportunity to present the award to Lourene.
Highway Man back in region
John the Highway Man is back in the region, and was spotted over the weekend between Deniliquin and Hay.
Grant John Cadoret, better known as John, has spent the better part of his life on the road.
He’s passed through our area several times before, and he just keeps going - like the Energizer Bunny.
When he spoke to the Pastoral Times back in 2021, John said he’s been traversing Australia since 1978.
He had moved to Melbourne and worked in banking, but realised it was not for him.
Refusing to accept any welfare payments, John lives off food donations he receives from strangers and people passing by.
So if you have anything you can spare, please make sure to stop and catch up with John if you see him.
He may even have a tale or two he can tell you.
Silly Sunday shenanigans
You would be forgiven for thinking Book Week has returned to the region or Halloween had come early if you were out and about on Sunday.
The Deniliquin Rovers senior players held a series of celebrations to mark the season that was.
The C-grade netballers first met at The Crossing Cafe for a brunch in their pyjamas.
Senior grade netballers and the footballers then gathered together at the Rovers clubrooms as Memorial Park for Silly Sunday, with some weird and wonderful costumes on show.
Some went all out by dressing as fictional characters, while others mimicked their own friends and teammates to much amusement.
Celebrations for both groups continued throughout the day, and at various locations.
14°C