A BOWRAL woman has been honoured as part of Liverpool's Australia Day celebrations.
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Ruth Hartcher-O'Brien was named Liverpool Citizen of the Year for her contribution to education through mentoring of students, refugee students, supporting the Liverpool City Council Refugee Week since 2004 and teaching new arrivals and refugees.
But the award was primarily for a drama program called Treehouse Theatre, which she created with her colleague, school counselor Catherine Maguire-Donvito, in which Ms Hartcher-O'Brien works with refugee children to tell their stories.
"Treehouse Theatre is a drama therapy program that works with about 20 young refugees in the Liverpool area at any one time," she said.
The program has run for the last six years and through which Ms Hartcher-O'Brien has helped more than 160 young refugees. She has directly influenced more than 20,000 Australians through sold out shows at theatres such as the Casula Powerhouse Art Centre and Parramatta Riverside Theatre.
"I'm passionate about giving the refugee experience a human face," Ms Hartcher-O'Brien said.
"When you see the child telling their story, you can't refuse it because it's not political."
She said she was honoured to receive the award.
"I'm honoured, but it is a community award, because when we are working with supportive and inspirational people, we can all fly," she said.
The next Treehouse Theatre performances will be at Casula Powerhouse Art Centre on May 7 and 8.