Former social worker named 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year

A former social worker, who now gives all her time to restoring the lives of women impacted by addiction, family violence and trauma, has been named the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year.

Kate Cleary has spent much of the past decade establishing a rural charity that has helped dozens of women on a journey of recovery from drug or alcohol dependency, violence or the Justice system.

Kate has helped transform a run-down rural property on the NSW Southern Tablelands into a therapeutic community, and a safe and welcoming place for women to stay, build life skills and be re-united with their children.

Kate volunteers at The Farm in Galong and rallies others to join her, including doctors, dentists, builders and farm workers, to ensure the resident women receive the care and support they need to restore their lives.

The Volunteer of the Year announcement was made as part of the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, which celebrate the work and impact of volunteers across all corners of New South Wales.

Volunteers across seven award categories were announced today at a Gala Ceremony in Sydney, attended by more than 300 community, business and political leaders.

The 2024 Awards acknowledged the efforts of thousands of nominees throughout the state.

• Volunteer of the Year and Adult Volunteer of the Year: Kate Cleary from The Farm in Galong
• Young Volunteer of the Year: St John first aider and mental health advocate, Usha Makkena from Edmondson Park
• Senior Volunteer of the Year: Mother’s home visiting service volunteer, Barbara Jones from Sutherland
• Volunteer Team of the Year: The Eugowra Flood Recovery team
• Volunteer Leader of the Year: Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme manager, Kathryn Bredin from Wagga Wagga
• Club Volunteer of the Year: The Coledale RSL Club Volunteer Team
• Not-For-Profit Voluntary Governance Award: Bronwyn Evans from Toukley Neighbourhood Centre.

The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are run by The Centre for Volunteering, the Peak Body for volunteering in NSW.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate congratulated all the award recipients and thanked them for their remarkable service to their local communities and NSW.

“Kate Cleary has given all her time over the past decade to help women in country NSW to restore and rebuild their lives,” Ms Rygate said.

“Kate’s volunteering is life changing. It reminds us that volunteering is special and can help create healthy communities and has an immeasurable social impact.

“I congratulate today’s award winners and all the finalists, nominees and their organisations for the remarkable work they do every day across NSW.”

The Awards are supported by Principal Partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW.

Minister with responsibility for Volunteering The Hon. Jodie Harrison said:

“Kate has done incredible work creating The Farm to help women recover from drug or alcohol dependency.

Her tireless work in ensuring women at The Farm receive the holistic support they need to rebuild their lives and restore family relationships is to be commended.

Her selfless contribution as a volunteer is a true inspiration to many who rally to The Farm to help the women there.

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of this year’s Volunteering Awards. You have been recognised as heroes by the people in your communities.

“Thank you for all you do to make NSW the best state to live and work in.”

ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said:

“Volunteers help to enrich local communities right across the state, including within NSW clubs, and the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate their incredible contributions.

“We’re proud to partner with The Centre for Volunteering in honouring these inspiring individuals, and especially excited to present the Club Volunteer of the Year Award category, which highlights the outstanding efforts of volunteers within our industry.”