Lee Watts was working in the Scone Neighbourhood Resources Centre (SNRC) during winter one day when a young boy walked in wearing wet socks and no shoes. He told Lee it was his father’s turn to wear the shoes. She wasted no time getting him his own pair and that moment will forever be the reason why she wants to help the community in any way she can.
Lee has spent more than 50 years in the Upper Hunter, living in Scone and helping the community in whatever way she could, from young children to families who needed assistance to older residents who need help with day-to-day tasks. For 30 of those years, she has been in charge of the SNRC.
It all started when she was very young.
“My parents owned the Scone Pool. It was the centre of the community really, it’s where everyone gathered. I followed in my Dad’s footsteps teaching children to swim from when I was about 16-years-old.
“I stayed in Scone, was married, had children and put my hand up for a volunteer role and retraining at Community Transport which later became TransCare. Then I was volunteering at the Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre as well and ended up applying for a job there.
“Funnily enough I didn’t get it, but the lady who did get it didn’t end up wanting it but I was second in line so they offered me the job and I took it.
“I loved it. You got to know the people, you get to know what they’re going through, you get to know the families and know that not everyone is in the same position. I loved that I was able to help them out in some way.
“Because of my role there, I was able to do other things like put my hand up for Council.”
Lee was elected to Upper Hunter Shire Council in 2005 and was the first female Mayor. Some of her biggest achievements included chairing the meeting that led to the creation of the undercover arena at White Park in Scone and serving as the Chair of the Australia Day Committee.
“Being on Council made people aware of the social issues that were around, it just wasn’t at the forefront of what Council was doing. If somebody wasn’t there making them aware, where do you start? The minority need the support, to get it they need to be advocated for,” Lee said.

Lee’s work at the SNRC is unmatched. What she has accomplished for the community over the years saw her recognised as the Upper Hunter Local Woman of the Year for 2025.
“I don’t do it for the accolades, we just need to be there for our community. More and more we’re seeing people who are working but even then, struggling to put food on the table.
“We don’t just help one target group, we help anyone. Not just in Scone either, further afield or people visit just to come see us. We can refer people on or support them with what they need.
“The Scone Community Pantry, Morning Bites Breakfast Van, community laundry and showers were all established to provide assistance to those in need. We have a café to generate income and have nearly 50 volunteers working in all areas of the service.”
Lee and her team at SNRC host a number of events throughout the year as well organising ‘Christmas in the Park’ and events that service locals who are doing it tough.
There will forever be one story that will stick with Lee and reinforces why she pours her heart into everything she does.

“I will always remember one little boy who came in one day. I could see his little footsteps on the floor, it was the middle of winter and he was wearing socks but no shoes. His socks were wet and when I asked where his shoes were, he told me it was his dad’s turn to wear the shoes today.
“He was just 13. It was nothing to him to share a pair of shoes but to me it was crazy. The first thing I did was get him a voucher and made sure he got his own pairs of shoes. It’s those small things that become very large to someone who is struggling.”
As she looks towards the future, Lee said she has reduced her hours at the SNRC but has created her own marriage and funeral celebrant business as well.
She said she would retire from the SNRC eventually, but letting go could be a different story.
“I’m sure I’ll be the one going back and telling them they aren’t doing it right when I’m 80, I hope I’m not, but I probably will be!
“I could always come back and volunteer, but I think it best that when I leave it is left to the next person to build from.”
