Inaugural NSW Volunteer of the Year announced
[5 December 2007 | The Centre for Volunteering]
New South Wales' first winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award was today presented with her prize.
She is Mary Mamour who, for the last four years, has been a liaison officer with the South Sudanese community in western Sydney, where she negotiates with the police, Centrelink, employment agencies and people in her community to find jobs for those at risk.
The award was presented by Volunteering Minister, the Hon Linda Burney, at a function in State Parliament on International Volunteer Day.
Senior Volunteer of the Year is Laurie Smith from Port Macquarie who has been a volunteer for the Aunties and Uncles Cooperative for the last 15 years. He has mentored three troubled boys and continues to keep in contact with them.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Amanda Grant works in six organisations at any given time, including the Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels. She founded the Tradies Community Service Volunteer Program and recently organised a charity fund for a local disability school.
On top of this, she works at the Sutherland District Trade Union Club where she was also awarded the Corporate Volunteer of the Year Prize.
The winners each receive a trophy and $1,000 to be donated to the not-for-profit organisation of their choice.
Convenor of the judging panel and Chair of the Centre for Volunteering, Joy Woodhouse said: "Mary was chosen as the winner because of the preparedness that she had to make a difference for her Sudanese family and the broader family of the Blacktown community. Mary's initiative is demonstrated by the way that she has gone about her support to the community. She is realistic, hands-on and committed."
Ms Woodhouse said selection of the winners from the field of almost 200 entries was difficult. "Absolutely. I wish that everyone who was nominated could win because they are all making valuable contributions to their communities."
Some 1.4 million New South Wales people give up some time for voluntary work. It is estimated that their efforts are worth about $5 billion annually to NSW.
View photos from the Awards Ceremony.
NSW Volunteer of the Year – Mary Mamour of Blacktown
In 2004 some young African migrants, many of whom arrived from refugee camps in Sudan, settled in Blacktown but were having trouble with initial settlement issues. The Local Police Command recognised the difficulties and contacted the South Sudan Community Organisation in NSW. Mary Mamour volunteered herself as a liaison officer and was instrumental in forming the Sudanese Action group. She became a shining light for many new refugees, particularly those without parents or leaders. She has been immensely successful in finding work, advocating for the refugees needs, ensuring that services are provided and breaking down barriers with authorities.
Her referee, Shaun Edwards, says: Mary has had to overcome resentment of some of her own people, the community in general, racial comments regarding her origin and the stark differences in her own cultural background to that of modern Australia to achieve the results she has."
NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year – Laurie Smith of Port Macquarie
Laurie Smith has been a volunteer with Aunties and Uncles for more than 12 years mentoring disadvantaged children. He and his wife Barbara have made a commitment of 12 months to each child they are linked to, but remain in touch with many who have moved away. Laurie speaks with passion about the need for mentoring and support for boys in particular who need the guidance and support of a positive male role model in the absence of an appropriate father figure.
His nominator, Rose George says: "His personal qualities of drive, enthusiasm, commitment and hard work are conveyed to those he comes into contact with and are a wonderful example to the three boys he has delighted to watch grow into young men."
NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year & NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year – Amanda Grant of Cronulla
Amanda has captured the hearts and minds of the "tradies" by instigating and founding the Tradies Community Service Volunteer Program. Formed in 2006, the program formalizes support for people in times of need. Her efforts have raised funds within the Sutherland Shire by tradespeople for organisations such as the Salvation Army and the Heart Foundation. She also organised a Tradies' Challenge fun run, with the proceeds being donated to the Minerva Street School for children with multiple and complex disabilities. The program now has six local volunteering partnerships.
Her nominator, Janeen Thompson says: "With the current Generation Y described as self-focussed and existential, Amanda's quality in a young volunteer is both rare and exceptional."
About The Centre for Volunteering
The Centre for Volunteering is the peak body for volunteering in NSW. The Centre promotes and supports volunteering and community participation through volunteer referral, advocacy, research, policy and resource development, training, information and education services enhance the capacity and skills of volunteers, not-for-profits, corporations and government to become involved in the community.More information/media contacts
Lynne Dalton, CEO
T: (02) 9261 3600 or 0413 418 314
Janine Cowen, Executive Assistant
T: (02) 9261 3600