Women’s justice mentor named 2024 Upper North Shore Volunteer of the Year
September 20th, 2024
Hornsby’s women’s justice advocate Margaret McClintock has been awarded the 2024 Upper North Shore Volunteer of the Year for her support for women and girls exiting the justice system to rebuild their lives.
Margaret was recognised today at the Hornsby RSL Club as part of the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. Recipients in other Upper North Shore regional award categories were also announced, including young, adult, senior and volunteer team of the year.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
The Awards are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, whose mission it is to promote and support volunteering across NSW.
Upper North Shore Young Volunteer of the Year: Jiayi Fang from Turramurra
Jiayi is a volunteer Youth Changemaker with Kids Giving Back, where she helps prepare meals for the homeless and assembles care packs. She supports local clubs such as BlowFly Cricket through Youth4Difference fundraisers and supports Clean Up Australia Day, her school’s Environment Committee, and Ku-ring-gai Council’s Bushcare program.
Upper North Shore Adult Volunteer of the Year: Margaret McClintock from Hornsby
As a mentor with the Women’s Justice Network, Margaret helps women affected by incarceration to develop the skills and confidence necessary to overcome challenges as they reintegrate into the community. She stays in regular contact with her mentees and offers practical support through letter writing, phone calls, and face- to-face visits. Margaret also helps with court and hospital visits and serves as a link between these women and the essential services they need.
Upper North Shore Senior Volunteer of the Year: Janet Fairlie-Cuninghame from Pymble
At 90, Janet Fairlie-Cuninghame has spent over 40 years volunteering with Bushcare, including leadership of two bush regeneration groups in Lane Cove National Park. Janet also helped establish the Land Care and Conservation Qualification at Meadowbank TAFE, making a lasting impact on environmental education and conservation efforts.
Upper North Shore Volunteer Team of the Year: Easy Care Gardening Thursday Earthworms
The nine volunteers at the Easy Care Gardening Thursday Earthworms group help older members of their local community maintain tidy, safe, and enjoyable gardens. The volunteers weed, prune, and mulch, while also providing often much needed social engagement through morning and afternoon teas.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said:
“These awards recognise the exceptional effort of volunteers across the Hornsby and Kuring-gai regions.
“Whether it’s in the local sports club, in health care, education and cultural centres, legal support or emergency response, volunteers are essential for the ongoing health and viability of local communities.
“It’s important for volunteers across the region to know that their commitment is recognised and valued.”
The Awards are supported by Principal Partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW.
The NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie Harrison said:
“Congratulations to the recipients of the Upper North Shore Volunteer of the Year Awards. Thank you for the incredible contributions you make to NSW and your local community.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, and the NSW Government is pleased to be partnering with the Centre for Volunteering to recognise volunteers and the valuable role they play in making NSW the best state to live and work in.”
ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said:
“The awards are a tribute to the vital contributions made by volunteers across the state. Volunteers are the backbone of the NSW club industry, and their efforts are crucial in uplifting local communities.
“We’re delighted to have a special Club Volunteer of the Year Award category, and I can’t wait to see who takes home that honour.”
Upper North Shore award recipients will be invited to represent their region at the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney at the end of the year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced across each category.