Colleen Andruschko

17 March 2026

I recognise an incredible woman from my electorate, Colleen Andruschko, our Local Senior of the Year for 2026. Colleen continues to give her time generously to others and has done so for many years. At Willowdale village, where she now lives, she established a craft group that meets every Monday and Friday, and I had the pleasure to visit them last Friday. Under Colleen's guidance, the group creates handmade items such as baby blankets for premature infants in hospital care. Each carefully crafted piece offers comfort to vulnerable families while giving residents a meaningful way to contribute. It is a fantastic initiative that gets everyone together and does so for a very good cause. Beyond this, Colleen also volunteers her time supporting a local charity that collects food, clothing and essential items for people doing it tough. Through patience, leadership and many hours of quiet dedication, Colleen shows how acts of care, much like every stitch in a blanket, can come together to make a real difference in people's lives.