Mid West volunteers from across the generations show us how it’s done!

Years may separate them, however these three generations of volunteers are equal role models for us all.

They lead by doing, and so it was wonderful to celebrate their contribution along with all the nominees for our Mid-Western Sydney virtual ceremony for the 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.  

Thirteen year-old Jessica Proctor makes a contribution to her community that is way beyond her years, while the perseverance of Louise Evans in helping to change perceptions about women in sport has had a tremendous impact here and abroad.

Parents expecting babies can experience anxiety, depression and other trauma. However, Dr Bryanne Barnett has been volunteering her time over the past 20 years to help them through these difficult years. The 10 team members from the Community Support Services Incorporated Volunteers are welcoming helping hands to people in need throughout the Bankstown area.

The 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year for the Mid-Western Sydney region is Dr Bryanne Barnett AM who has been supporting the Gidget Foundation of Australia for the past 20 years.

2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for Sydney’s Inner West are:

Young Volunteer of the Year – Jessica Proctor from Burwood    

Thirteen year-old Jessica Proctor gives her time on weekends, after school and during holidays with St Paul’s Burwood Outreach Program to support people in need. She helps prepare and serve meals, packs and delivers parcels to the doors of clients. Jessica also took it upon herself to re-structure the delivery arm of the outreach program, saving money for the church and time for her fellow volunteers.    

Adult Volunteer of the Year – Louise Evans from Newtown

Louise Evans single-handedly created the highly successful Women in Sport Photo Action Awards, to help change media and public perceptions about women in sport. Through Louise’s endless volunteering, the program has received widespread acknowledgement across Australia. She also gives her time for Women Sport Australia (WSA), the national not-for-profit advocacy body for women in sports.

Senior Volunteer of the Year – Dr Bryanne Barnett AM from Balmain 

Dr Bryanne Barnett has been volunteering with the Gidget Foundation of Australia for the past 20 years. The organisation provides support for expectant mothers with anxiety or risk of depression or trauma. Dr Barnett has lent her clinical expertise to mentor and supervise midwives and doctors who lead the group’s well-being program. She is also supports the organisation as a volunteer Board Director.

Volunteer Team of the Year: The Community Support Services Incorporated Volunteers

The Community Support Services volunteer team helps to run the Village Pantry Program that is now helping to provide more than 700 healthy meals each week for people in need throughout the Bankstown district.

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.