TAFE NSW is proud to announce that lecturer, Kathryn Temple, from Valley Heights has been nominated for Western Sydney University's '2017 Woman of the West' in the Community category.

Kathryn has been nominated for her horticultural work dedicated to the devastating Blue Mountain bushfire victims of 2013. Kathryn selflessly began restoring and establishing new gardens for the families affected by the devastation of the fires; a true and noble testament to her firm belief in horticultural therapy.

"It was terrible seeing people lose their pets, their homes, their memories, the things their grandmother had,", Ms. Temple conveyed to the Penrith Press.

"My (horticulture and landscape design) students helped me with garden designs, ensuring plants (for residents) were fire-resistant and suitable - such as lilly pillies (Riberry), pigface (Carpobrotus) and creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium)".

Her nominator, Bronwyn Berrima, was among the 400+ people to lose their homes and property on October 16 and 17, 2013.

"We did her property first," Ms Temple recalled, adding "there were a lot of people doing really great things at that time."

"I didn't really think I was doing anything special (although) it's actually quite nice (to be nominated)", said Ms Temple, who also volunteers at a Leura retirement facility.

It goes without saying that TAFE NSW Staff and students will be rooting for Kathryn at 'The Woman of the West Awards' which is taking place later today, Friday 17th of March.

Best of luck Kathryn, we need more selfless, caring individuals like you in the world.