Illawarra Regional Winners
Illawarra Region Volunteer of the Year
Lawrie Perkins of Nowra
Laurie supports people with a mental illness by helping them enjoy sport, friendship and a place of acceptance. As a trained Helping Hands volunteer he coordinated and manages the West Street Tennis Club in Nowra as well as the weekly lawn bowls competition. He holds wheelchair and regional competitions for the disabled as well as organising junior tournaments. Laurie has already been recognised for his services as the Illawarra Area Health Carer of the Year in 2003 and received the Citizen Award for Australia Day the Shoalhaven in 2005. He also is linked to work one-on-one with a young man with mental illness.
Laurie's nominator, Katy Smith, says of him: "This outstanding and unique man provided a key component in the recovery of consumers by offering opportunities for social interaction while completing their rehabilitation process."
Illawarra Youth Volunteer of the Year
Krystle Marsh of Blockbutt
Krystle has been an enthusiastic fundraiser and fundraising organiser for the Warilla High School Partnership Program Over the past three years she has galvanized, motivated and led various projects to raise assistance for the St Vincent de Paul Society, Australian Red Cross, Legacy and World Vision. She was elected to represent young people and her school at "Your Eyes Only Committee 2007, which decides which youth grants are allocated on behalf of the Foundation for Young Australians and represented the school at the 2007 Youth Unemployment Forum.
Her nominator, Bob Pastors says: "Her determination to make a difference is widely acknowledged and respected."
Illawarra Senior Volunteer of the Year
Jenny Braun of Fernhill
Jenny has been a volunteer for 16 years with Interchange Illawarra, an organisation which offers respite for carers of children and adults with an intellectual, physical and mental disability. She is now a member of the organisation's Management Committee. She has volunteered to look after clients every week or when an emergency occurs with the carer, looking after their personal care and hygiene.
Her nominator, Sue Crawford, says: "Jenny is a very dedicated, loving, gentle, loyal and giving person, which shows from the response she receives in return from our clients and their parents."