NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards Program

April 2010 | Maia Giordano, The Centre for Volunteering

The NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Awards (SVA) Program was officially launched on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 by the Hon. Verity Firth MP, Minister for Education and Training. The SVA Program, piloted in 2009, is aimed at involving Year 9 and 10 students in volunteering and service learning activities. As many of you know, there are many young people who already volunteer in a range of areas so this program is also a "way of acknowledging the contribution of young people to their community".

Minister Firth and DG Communities NSW, Carol Mills along with Diamond Award recipients from The Canobolas Rural Technology High School, Elderslie High School, Glenmore Park High School, Kellyville High School, Randwick Girls High School and Warilla High School

Students who voluntarily complete more than 20 hours over Years 9 and 10 will receive a NSW Premier's Student Volunteering Award Certificate. The SVA Program also recognises students who go beyond the required hours with Silver, Gold and Diamond certificates for 40, 60 and 80 hours respectively. In 2009, there were 24 students who received a Diamond certificate (attending students pictured above).

The program is currently being implemented in all regions across New South Wales and forms part of the State Plan to increase the number of people engaged in volunteering.

For information visit the Student Volunteering and Service Learning website