For Lake Macquarie’s Mercia Buck OAM arts are her “reason for getting up in the morning”, they’re something she’s been dedicated to for the past 40 years.

She’s been instrumental in establishing Warners Bay Theatre, founding Opera Hunter and organising countless arts performances across the Hunter region.

That passion was recognised last night after Ms Buck was awarded council’s Freeman of the City honour.

It’s something she found “absolutely overwhelming”.

“It’s a tribute not just to me, but to all the people who have responded to all of the initiatives we’ve taken in trying to develop the industry,” Ms Buck said.

“You can’t do anything on your own – you’re relying on all the people who share the same passion.”

Despite more than four decades of hard work supporting the arts, the passionate creative shows no signs of letting up.

“The arts – music or acting or whatever – they’re just in your blood,” she said.

“It’s the reason for breathing, it’s the reason for getting up in the morning.

“It doesn’t matter what happens in life – all the hard things and all the tragedies – you’ve always got this thing that you love to come back to.”

Ms Buck, who served as a Lake Macquarie Councillor from 1991 to 2008, is the ninth person in the city’s history to receive the accolade.

She is only the second woman in a list of recipients dating back to 1985, and the first since former Lady Mayoress Ellen Kilpatrick and Don Caldwell, the city’s first Town Planner, were added in 2008.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser believes Mercia Buck’s contribution to the city’s arts is without peer.

“Creative arts in our region are so much richer thanks to Mercia’s tireless dedication, but her devotion to our community extends far beyond that,” she said.

“She led the way as a strong female voice in local government at a time when it was a very male-dominated arena.

“I am among many people who have always looked to her for inspiration.”

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