A member of Canterbury SES for 38 years and eight months and Unit Commander since 2011, Lenore – aged 64 when she passed in November – led multiple, large-scale operations in Sydney and regional NSW, most notably during the Western NSW floods.
During the Sydney October 2016 storms, the unit was inundated with over 500 jobs across three days, with Lenore leading her team through each challenging day with compassion and dedication.
Her death has been felt hard by all who worked with her, including son Chris Nelson who is the new Unit Commander.
He said his mother would have thought the plaque was a very nice gesture.
“She would have been happy but maybe a little shocked because she was not one to look for awards or recognition,” he said.
A Canterbury Unit Deputy Commander for 13 years and now in charge, Chris said his mother left big shoes to fill.
“It’s been difficult but we are getting on with the job, continuing her work and building up the unit,” he said.
Mayor El-Hayek said the legacy of Lenore lived on.
“The council is honouring her incredible service with the plaque, a fitting tribute to a beautiful friend who touched so many of our lives,” he said.
