NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Winners Announced

The NSW Volunteer of the Year Award 2007 showcases active volunteers who have shown dedication and initiative in their work and have positively contributed to the not-for-profit organisation they volunteer for.

The inaugural NSW Volunteer of the Year Award was launched on Tuesday, 19 June 2007 by NSW Minister for Volunteering Linda Burney. The Centre for Volunteering developed the Award, a major State Government supported initiative, to recognise the contribution the 1.7 million volunteer workers make to the community every year.

The NSW Volunteer of the Year State winners (State, Senior, Youth and Corporate) were announced at a ceremony at Sydney's Parliament House on December 5, International Volunteer Day.

The Centre for Volunteering and the Minister for Volunteering, the Hon Linda Burney, congratulate's State winners Mary, Laurie and Amanda!

View the official NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony Photos.

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."

Read the more about the Awards Ceremony and the winners.

2007 Regional Winners Announced

Central Coast Winners

Central Coast Region Volunteer of the Year
Russell Deaves of Wyee

Central Coast Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Jamie McKenzie of Tascott

Central Coast Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Michael Read of Somersby

Read about the Central Coast winners.

Central West Winners

Central West Region Volunteer of the Year
Rhoma Hale of Molong

Central West Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Bryson Troy of Quandialla

Read about the Central West winners.

Hunter Winners

Hunter Region Volunteer of the Year
Bert Reay of Charlestown

Hunter Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Peter Phillipson of Fingal Bay

Read about the Hunter winners.

Illawarra Winners

Illawarra Region Volunteer of the Year
Lawrie Perkins of Nowra

Illawarra Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Krystle Marsh of Blockbutt

Illawarra Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Jenny Braun of Fernhill

Read about the Illawarra winners.

Mid North Coast Winners

Mid North Coast Region Volunteer of the Year
Norm Cunningham of Nabiac

Mid North Coast Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Laurie Smith of Port Macquarie

Read about the Mid North Coast winners.

Murray Winners

Murray Region Volunteer of the Year
Keith Duggan, of Howlong

Murray Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Luke Brooks of Finley

Read about the Murray winners.

New England / Northern Inland Winners

New England / Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year
Patricia van Tilburg of Tamworth

New England / Northern Inland Senior Volunteer of the Year
Ivan Hatch of Tamworth

Read about the New England/Northern Inland winners.

Northern Rivers Winners

Northern Rivers Region Volunteer of the Year
Marie Jane Taylor of Wardell

Northern Rivers Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Joseph Keane of East Ballina

Northern Rivers Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Jill Hepburn of Goonellabah

Read about the Norther Rivers winners.

Orana / Far West Winners

Orana / Far West Region Volunteer of the Year
Bevin Brown of Lightning Ridge

Read about the Orana / Far West winners.

Riverina Winners

Riverina Region Volunteer of the Year
Maxwell Day of Lockhart

Riverina Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Ted Strachan of Cootamundra

Read about the Riverina winners.

South Coast / Capital Winners

South Coast / Capital Region Volunteer of the Year
Kevin Hill of Vincentia

Read about the South Coast / Capital winners.

Sydney East Winners

Sydney East Region Volunteer of the Year
Loys Thompson of Rose Bay

Sydney East Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Meg Harris of Malabar

Read about the Sydney East winners.

Sydney Greater West Winners

Sydney Greater West Region Volunteer of the Year
Mary Mamour of Blacktown

Sydney Greater West Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Phillip Webb of Lithgow

Sydney Greater West Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Sabine Erika of Blackheath

Read about the Sydney Greater West winners.

Sydney Inner West Winners

Sydney Inner West Region Volunteer of the Year
Stephen Sanson of Croydon

Sydney Inner West Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Ashley Douglas of Lilyfield

Sydney Inner West Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Frank Marjason of Drummoyne

Read about the Sydney Inner West winners.

Sydney North Winners

Sydney North Region Volunteer of the Year
Les Pearson of Denistone East

Sydney North Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Murray Block of Mosman

Read about the Sydney North winners.

Sydney South / Macarthur Winners

Sydney South / Macarthur Volunteer of the Year
Edward Richards of Engadine

Sydney South / Macarthur Youth Volunteer of the Year
Amanda Grant of Cronulla

Sydney South / Macarthur Senior Volunteer of the Year
Margaret (Peggy) Moore of Miranda

Read about the Sydney South Macarthur winners.

The 2007 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award will be announced at a ceremony at Parliament House on 5 December 2007.

How does it work?

There will be 2 major categories of award:

1. The NSW Volunteer of the Year Award
   1. NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
   2. NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year Award
2. The NSW Corporate Volunteering Award

There are two rounds of judging for the Awards; firstly at a regional level, with winners of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award to be selected from these Regional winners. There will also be special awards for Youth and Seniors.

For the purposes of the Awards, the State has been divided into 11 country regions and 5 Sydney regions.

The NSW Corporate Volunteering Award will be open to volunteers who are sponsored by their employers and are released from employment to carry out volunteer activities.

If you have any questions about the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards please download and read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .

Key dates

• The Award officially launched 19 June 2007
• Nominations opened late June 2007
• Nominations closed 15 October 2007 (nominations extended)
• The Regional Winners announced in November, published 19 November 2007
• Award Ceremony held on International Volunteer Day, 5 December 2007

2008 sponsorship opportunities

This Award provides exciting opportunities for companies to connect with people and voluntary organisations throughout NSW, and to build long term relationships with The Centre for Volunteering and the huge volunteering community.

We are seeking sponsors for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award 2008 to assist us to fund the Awards, provide media publicity, provide travel and accommodation for finalists and prizes for winners. We are also looking to develop an ongoing relationship with a major sponsor, a relationship which will has the potential to benefit the sponsor, The Centre and the volunteering sector.

If you would like further details, please phone Award Manager, Kristin Romanis, on 02 9261 3600.