Broken Hill volunteers shine for 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards
October 9th, 2020
After 24 ceremonies across all corners of the state, the 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards rolled into Broken Hill today to celebrate the region’s amazing cohort of volunteers.
They play their part across the emergency services, sporting fields, health and community services -wherever there is a need.
We couldn’t make it into town this year- so we sent our appreciation and thanks down the line to all the region’s volunteers.
Special congratulations to our award winners Blake Edgecombe who helps keep us safe and well with St John Ambulance , emergency services volunteer Kevern Hobman, 40-year volunteer veteran Amelia Butler and the Broken Hill TeleCross Volunteers team who help build connections for the isolated and vulnerable across the region.
The 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year for the Far West region is Amelia Butler.
2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Far West are:
Young Volunteer of the Year – Blake Edgecombe from Broken Hill
Blake has been volunteering with the St John Ambulance Broken Hill Cadet Division for the past eight years – the largest Cadet Division in Western NSW. On top of studying psychology, Blake gives hundreds of hours each year to support the event health and first responder services for the region. Blake is now the Cadet Leader and provides additional training in child well-being for other volunteers.
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Kevern Hobman from Broken Hill
Kevern has been volunteering with the Broken Hill SES for the past 19 years, but also finds time to give back to his community as a leader with the Cubs, Scouts and Venturers. The Far West Cadet Coordinator is a swift water rescue expert and supports the region’s important St Patrick’s Day races.
Senior Volunteer of the Year – Amelia Butler from Broken Hill
Amelia has been volunteering across the region for the past 40 years – during work and retirement – with so many different community based organisations. She has volunteered with the Red Cross for over 36 years, worked with the Salvation Army Shop, St Vincent de Paul and with the Broken Hill Hospital Kiosk Auxiliary for the past 11 years and has been a Director of the Barrier Social Democratic Club for over 19 years.
Volunteer Team of the Year – Broken Hill TeleCross Volunteers
The eight Red Cross volunteer team members come in to Broken Hill Base Hospital every day from 7am to make calls to isolated members of the local community who live alone, are frail, aged or have a disability. Dot is the team’s 85-year-old team leader who makes sure there is always someone on shift- 365 days a year to check on and support their clients.
Regional finalists for the awards are announced at 25 ceremonies throughout NSW and are invited to the Gala State Ceremony for the announcement of the 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year.
The 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are supported by principal partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW, which represents the state’s 1,400 not-for-profit clubs.
