2021 Volunteer of the Year – Abbie Kelly

Abbie Kelly was honoured for her inexhaustible volunteering in her local community and can do attitude to making the world a better place.

At just 12 years old Abbie Kelly is making her mark as a community activist through her volunteering as an environmentalist, lobbyist, fundraiser, performer and radio show host.

Her ability to cultivate support for issues that affect her community is inspiring and far reaching. Abbie volunteers for several community and national organisations including Clean-Up Australia Day, Land Care and National Tree Planting Day. She is the Burke Ward Primary School Captain, volunteers at Sea Scouts, stars in local theatre productions and has had her own radio show. In short, she is engaged in almost every aspect of community life.

Abbie’s infectious volunteerism and influence in her community makes her an accomplished lobbyist and fundraiser. Recently, her efforts have gone towards organising a Broken Hill wide “Crazy Sock Day” which raises funds for Love Your Sister, for cancer research. Abbie has generated and secured partnerships from 10 local schools and over 30 businesses across the region.

Abbie is mature well beyond her years and her passion for driving change makes her a real force for the future. She is a shining example of how younger generations of Australian’s are active, critical and engaged in issues that affect their communities.