Inaugural NSW Volunteer of the Year Announced
By The Centre for Volunteering
New South Wales' first winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award was today presented with her prize.
She is Mary Mamour who, for the last four years, has been a liaison officer with the South Sudanese community in western Sydney, where she negotiates with the police, Centrelink, employment agencies and people in her community to find jobs for those at risk.
The award was presented by Volunteering Minister, the Hon Linda Burney, at a function in State Parliament on International Volunteer Day.
Senior Volunteer of the Year is Laurie Smith from Port Macquarie who has been a volunteer for the Aunties and Uncles Cooperative for the last 15 years. He has mentored three troubled boys and continues to keep in contact with them.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Amanda Grant works in six organisations at any given time, including the Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels. She founded the Tradies Community Service Volunteer Program and recently organised a charity fund for a local disability school.
On top of this, she works at the Sutherland District Trade Union Club where she was also awarded the Corporate Volunteer of the Year Prize.
The winners each receive a trophy and $1,000 to be donated to the not-for-profit organisation of their choice.
Convenor of the judging panel and Chair of the Centre for Volunteering, Joy Woodhouse said: "Mary was chosen as the winner because of the preparedness that she had to make a difference for her Sudanese family and the broader family of the Blacktown community. Mary's initiative is demonstrated by the way that she has gone about her support to the community. She is realistic, hands-on and committed."
Ms Woodhouse said selection of the winners from the field of almost 200 entries was difficult. "Absolutely. I wish that everyone who was nominated could win because they are all making valuable contributions to their communities."
Some 1.5 million New South Wales people give up some time for voluntary work. It is estimated that their efforts are worth about $5 billion annually to NSW.
More information
- Find out more about the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
- View photos from the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award ceremonies.
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The Centre
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