Roz Knights was cutting onions this morning for Kyogle’s Australia Day barbecue when State MP Janelle Saffin popped in to congratulate her.
Roz has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her public service.
Ms Knights can now put OAM at the end of her name – not that she cares about that. For her it’s all about giving back.
When I came here from Melbourne in 2012 to escape domestic violence, I was welcomed by the town, Roz said.
“All I want to do is give back for all the help I’ve been given.”
She never thought at 67, she’d be managing a staff of 40 at Kyogle Lions Food Pantry.
The pantry supports more than 800 families every month.
And it’s where Roz looks most at home – welcoming people with “a smile and positive words”.
It is a privilege to be given the OAM, she said.
“It’s also a privilege to work with the teams under the Lions banner.”
Roz’s contribution to Kyogle includes:
- Community Food Pantry manager
- Kyogle Lions Club member since 2014
- Kyogle Emergency Red Cross Disaster Committee and Community Resilience Team
- Kyogle Evacuation Centre
Her medal listing on the Australia Day Honours List recognised her honesty, empathy, respect and trust.
Roz was Kyogle Citizen of the Year in 2017.
This article appeared on indyNR.com on 26 January 2025.