The NSW Government is calling for rural communities to nominate women volunteers for the 2012 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

Hidden Treasures is a great way to formally acknowledge the efforts of rural women and celebrate volunteering as an important community value.

The annual project, which started in 2010, is helping to create a lasting archive and uncover inspirational quiet achievers – women who are often the backbone of community organisations.

Volunteers are essential to rural NSW and without these selfless workers, charities, arts and sporting groups would struggle to exist.

Their roles are diverse and include fundraising, delivering meals to the elderly, fighting fires, driving patients, mentoring young people, creating community artworks or coordinating events.

The NSW Government values all volunteer contributions and is proud to honour these women through the Hidden Treasures initiative.

The Hidden Treasures initiative is an opportunity to highlight the role of women volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the millions of everyday Australians who give so much of their precious time to improving the lives of others, their communities and neighbourhoods.

The 2012 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll is a positive way society can recognise, thank and celebrate the vital role 1.7 million NSW volunteers contribute to our way of life.

All women nominated will be included in the 2012 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll to be launched at the annual NSW Rural Women’s Gathering in Parkes, 12-14 October.

Last year 140 "Hidden Treasures" were uncovered, and this year organisers would like to continue to add to this growing bank of inspiring stories.

Hidden Treasures is a joint project of the Rural Women’s Network (NSW Department of Primary Industries), NSW Centre for Volunteering and the NSW Office for Women’s Policy.

To nominate a rural woman, download the nomination form at the Rural Women's Network website and fill in the details. Hidden Treasures Honour Roll recipients from previous years are also listed on the Rural Women's Network website.

You can also request a nomination form via email: rural.women@dpi.nsw.gov.au or contact the Centre for Volunteering on (02) 9261 3600.

Nominations close 20th August 2012.