Barrack Heights Teenager is 2008 NSW Youth Volunteer

5 December 2008 | The Centre for Volunteering

Barrack Heights resident Krystle Marsh has been awarded the 2008 NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

Krystle has worked as a volunteer in several organisations such as the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Australian Red Cross, and has just completed Year 12 at Warilla High School.

She was awarded the title by the NSW Minister for Volunteering, Graham West, in a ceremony at Parliament House today - International Volunteer Day.

Her work with "Vinnies" has included home visitations' social justice advocacy, fundraising for mental health and the 2007 and 2008 Appeals. With the Australian Red Cross she acted as a team leader in the 2008 Doorknock campaign and she was the Recruitment Leader for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 campaigns.

Krystle also expanded her volunteering activities by assisting in the running of the Warilla High School Breakfast club and the planning and coordinating of the Warilla High / Vinnies 'Grandparents' Day celebrations for Seniors' Week.

Krystle has also been at the forefront of bringing awareness to the high youth unemployment rate in the Illawarra by attending a forum on the matter in March 2007.

Krystle has also been involved in several other volunteering activities and represented Warilla High School at The Centre for Volunteering NSW's Bridge to Volunteering Spectacular. She was given the honour of opening the ceremony.

• Ashfield resident Shu Fen Wang was named 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year for her work over the past 10 years with the West Region Chinese Association;
• Lorraine Clark, of Warringah was named 2008 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year for her contribution to the Special Olympics program for the past 18 years;
• Optus' IT Commercial Director, Karen Carmichael, and Optus have been recognised for mobilising an exemplary Employee Volunteering program at Lurnea High School ... and been named the 2008 NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year; and
• Layne Beachley, the most successful female surfer of all time and seven-time world champion, and Founder and Chief Executive of the Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation, has been awarded the inaugural NSW Volunteer Ambassador of the Year Award.

The NSW Volunteer of the Year Award was initiated and coordinated by the peak body for volunteering in NSW, The Centre for Volunteering. All winners from the 16 regions which made up the State final are featured on The Centre's website www.volunteering.com.au

More information

Kristin Romanis
Communications Manager and 2008 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Manager
T 0412 313 359 or 02 9261 3600
E kromanis@volunteering.com.au

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. Visit www.volunteering.com.au