Totally excellent volunteer manager tops list in 2020 NSW Volunteer Awards
December 3rd, 2020
The volunteer coordinator for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation Kylie Elliott has taken out the 2020 NSW Excellence in Volunteer Management Award.
Kylie has excelled over the past 12 months, helping to increase volunteer participation on the back of improved communication, management systems and engagement.
The award was announced at a virtual ceremony for the 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards today in front of more than 400 special guests, volunteers and their families, and representatives of volunteering organisations from across the state.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are an annual program run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in every region across NSW.
The awards are in their 14th year and have grown to become one of the largest celebrations of volunteering across Australia.
The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation raises money for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Bear Cottage, The Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service and Kids Research.
She has established new communications channels, an online portal and digital tools, improved coordination and reporting on volunteer activity across the five health clients and organised recognition events.
All these improvements and new support services have been delivered over 12 months – including the heavily disruptive COVID 19 restriction period.
During this time, Kylie has grown the volunteer program to include more than 450 people. Together, they have donated more than 1,731 hours across 43 events. Kylie’s achievements not only reflect her love and passion for volunteering but also her commitment to helping sick children.
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.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said:
“The past 12 months have thrown up challenge after challenge for communities across the state and volunteers have continued to give their all in the face of this tremendous adversity.
“These awards are our way of saying thank you and reminding everyone across the state of the value of volunteering.
“Congratulations to our awards winners announced today and thank you to all our finalists, nominees and the volunteering community across NSW.”
NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said:
“Kim Hill epitomises the selfless community spirit that shone bright throughout last year’s unprecedented bushfire season and is a very deserving recipient of this year’s Volunteer of the Year award.
“Whether they are donating their time and skills responding to natural disasters or coaching children’s sport, volunteers are part of the fabric of our communities.
“There has never been a more fitting time to recognise the enormous sacrifice our volunteers make, and no better opportunity to say thank you for the work they do.”
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said:
“Without volunteers, registered clubs wouldn’t be able to accomplish all the wonderful things that they do for their local communities, so it’s a natural fit for our industry to support this incredible program.
“Well done to all the volunteers who were recognised at today’s ceremony for their extraordinary work. These people have continued to donate their time and effort to support others, despite the challenges of bushfires, drought, floods and COVID-19.
“I’m proud to represent an industry where 32,000 volunteers help to make clubs such great places.”
