Women of Warren Shire - Judy Ridley
29 October 2021
Judy Ridley was born in Nevertire and as the name suggests, she never tires. Having organised 42 Debutante Balls, acting as a committee member to numerous community committees and affectionately known as the ‘unofficial town planner’, Judy is passionate about contributing to the Warren Shire community.
Judy’s love of sport and dedication to the community has seen her as the recipient of the Prime Ministerial Women in Sport Award, Citizen of the Year and a Community Service Award in the Warren Shire Australia Day Awards, twice.
A usual morning looks like?
A usual morning is hectic! After the usual wifely duties of preparing dinner, wash, clean etc..
Monday & Friday – manning the Warren Museum collectables at the old Post Office and then visiting Calara House.
Tuesday – organisation, set up and shopping for golf club bingo. I am the bingo caller.
Wednesday – limbering up ready for golf, and another visit to Calara House.
Thursday – attend USC bingo.
Saturday – golf.
Sunday – church, Calara House and USC bingo.
In between all of this, I attend lots of meetings, visit friends and entertain.
I’m most proud about?
My family.
Fondest memory of growing up in Warren Shire?
Being a carefree kid, sport and being raised in Nevertire – ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ sums up my childhood.
Favourite place in Warren Shire?
Everything about the Warren Shire, the parks and gardens, ovals, the walkways surrounding our town, the wonderful facilities we have within the town.
On the weekend you can find me?
Golfing, bingo, and catching up with family and friends.
3 words that sum up living in Warren Shire?
Friendly. Supportive. Loyalty.
Judy’s dedication to the community…
Can you tell us a bit about your journey, some of the highlights of your life?
Born in 1950, I was raised in Nevertire and attended Nevertire Public school for my primary education and then on to Warren Central school for years 7-10. I then worked as a telephonist at Dubbo, Sydney and Warren.
In 1984 I started work at Warren Central School before transferring to Camden Public School in 1986 for two years. I then returned to Warren Central School until my retirement in 2018. In 1996, I was also the inaugural Manager of the Warren Sporting & Cultural Centre.
Highlights of my personal life were the birth of my two children, Nigel and Brooke, marrying Guy and welcoming five grandchildren. This year we are excited about the birth of our first great-grandchild in November.
You are affectionately known as the ‘unofficial town organiser’ and have organised countless community events over the years, can you share more about the events you have organised?
I have organised too many community events to list but I have enjoyed doing each and every one of them. I love helping where I can.
The 42 biannual Debutante Balls I organised were highlights on the Warren Shire social calendar. Many humorous moments were experienced during dance rehearsals where I tried my best to get the men and women all dancing gracefully and in time to the music.
The Debutante Balls were held to raise funds for many organisations within our community. My final ‘hurrah’ was the Warren Sesquicentenary Spring Ball in 2011, which celebrated 150 years of the Warren Township. It was an amazing, fun-filled evening, supported by the entire community.
I was a committee member of our River Festival, raising funds for the Sporting Complex, and organised many floats for the street parade. I was also on the inaugural Far West Academy of Sports Board, which was then situated in Cobar. When Warren welcomed Father Chris Riley to our town, I organised a night of street basketball for our youth which proved very successful.
In 2018 and 2019, Warren Shire held a huge Christmas party in the Main Street, and I just happened to be the Christmas tree. I organised for the people dressed as Christmas characters to lap the street in golf carts, much to the delight of the children.
I’m passionate about supporting anything in Warren. I have been on numerous committees which the end results have enhanced the town with very important facilities, such as the Warren Sporting & Cultural Centre. Another is the Skate Park/Carter Oval Development sub-committee, which I am very proud to be a part of, and seeing the upgrades is rewarding. Another committee I am very proud to be involved with is the Warren Chronically Ill Children and Adult Trust Fund, which helps those in need. I am also on the Warren Museum and Gallery Committee, under the inspiring leadership of John Burke.
How have you been recognised for your dedication to the community?
I am passionate about supporting all sport in Warren and have been on many sporting committees over the years. I was honoured, along with my lifelong friend Christine Trudgett, to have the Ridley/Trudgett netball gala day named after us, showcasing my love and dedication to netball.
In 1992, I was the very proud recipient of the Inaugural Prime Ministerial Women in Sport Award. This was such a highlight for my family, especially my mother. In 1994, I was awarded Citizen of the Year and in both 2012 and 2017, awarded the Community Service Award in the Australia Day Awards.
You were renowned for your sense of fun and amazing Book Week outfits while working in the library at Warren Central School, what are some of your fondest memories during your time there?
Book Week, my most favourite time of the school year! I love nothing more than dressing up and entertaining the children. I would dress up the kids that didn’t have costumes, the staff and anyone else that came into my sight. Some of the most outrageous book week characters that come to mind are Shrek, with Phil Leman as my Princess Fiona, Maid Marion in my bust enhancing gown with my love, Robin Hood, aka Gay Markey, and as Pirates of the Caribbean with Narelle Whittaker. I have so many costumes, they cannot fit into my home!
We hear you also organise the ‘Congratulations’ pages in the Warren Weekly for all the graduating HSC students and write the golf news – what do you enjoy about being able to recognise and celebrate the achievements of others?
One would assume that I have a genius IQ due to the many trivia quizzes I have hosted, written questions for, judged and ruled on many questionable answers, including the schools’ quiz at the annual Warren Show, but I am just above average genius level!
As race secretary for the Warren Jockey Club, I attend local race meetings, and I’m also a freelance photographer for the Warren Weekly, coordinator of the Year 12 message page and the Lois Lane of the golfing fraternity, better known as ‘The Dirty Birdie’.
I thoroughly enjoy recognising and celebrating the wonderful achievements of others, as it is also a celebration of our fantastic community. We all strive to do our part, and to acknowledge people is very important.
Your passion for Warren Shire is legendary, what makes you proud to be a part of this community?
I have been able to do what I do due to the wonderful, ongoing support of my husband and children. As the children were growing up, I was often busy with committees and organising something. I also have a very supportive group of friends, who are always willing to assist me to get things done.
I like to keep busy, and I’m proud to be a part of the Warren community because it is home to me. I believe in giving back to the community in any way that I can.
My favourite sayings are ‘you only reap what you sow’ and ‘don’t do anything you don’t enjoy!’
To nominate a Warren Shire woman to be featured in this series, email media@warren.nsw.gov.au