Sydney Greater West Regional Winners
Sydney Greater West Region 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."
Sydney Greater West Region Youth Volunteer of the Year
Phillip Webb of Lithgow
Phillip Webb is dedicated to ensuring that every youth night at Lithgow Altitude Youth is of the highest possible standard. Although a full time shift worker and college student, he puts in a large number of hours to attend to the organisational detail. In the four years he has been running the centre, there has been a noticeable positive response from the youth in the community. Phillip persevered through adverse times and now 30-40 people attend regularly with termly events for 150-200 youth from groups from Orange to Blackheath attending the drug and alcohol-free sessions. His nominator, Rachel Webb, says: "Phil is amazing at coming up with new and fresh ideas that keep youth excited and involved. "
Sydney Greater West Region Senior Volunteer of the Year
Sabine Erika, of Blackheath
Sabine Erika has been a volunteer with the Alternatives to Violence Project for seven years. During this time she developed and implemented comprehensive prison and parolee programs which involved training inmates as facilitators and then coordinating these facilitators into teams to deliver workshops. Through these programs more than 20, three-day workshops have been run each year, and over 70 inmate facilitators have been trained.
Sabine has volunteered for Zonta, a world-wide organisation working for the human rights of women, for four year. She initiated the adoption of women in jail to provide much needed equipment for expectant inmates, just one of the many projects she has been involved in. Patricia Lawson of Zonta International says: "Sabine has demonstrated her willingness to volunteer her time, energy and skills to improve the lives of women in her local community."