Blue Mountains volunteers are like a big warm hug for communities and people across the region – and today we said thank you at our Blue Mountains regional ceremony for the 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
A special mention to the Blue Mountains Volunteer of the Year, Ted Dickson, who has kept the wheels in motion at the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum for the past 30 years.
Also, a huge shout out to Andrea Lang from the NSW PSPCA and the team from the Zonta Club of the Blue Mountains who have jumped back into action during the pandemic.
2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Blue Mountains:
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Andrea Lang from Katoomba
Andrea keeps more than 500 RSPCA staff and volunteers connected and up to date with the latest information, policies and procedures on all things required to promote and protect animal welfare.
She began her volunteering during the pandemic and has helped the RSPCA support its local volunteers through her innovative ways of creating fun and informative online connections. Her volunteering involves moderating content, cataloguing material and building an extensive knowledge library.
Senior Volunteer of the Year – Thomas Edwin Dickson from Valley Heights
Ted Dickson is a prolific volunteer at the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum, where he gives more than 20 hours a week of his time to help maintain and manage the important historical site.
He helped establish the museum almost 30 years ago and has been responsible for managing exhibitions and numerous services and utilities at the museum, including power, water, sewerage, security and fire protection. He helped restore the significant Locomotive 5711 – the last of the big steam engines in NSW.
He is a qualified rail safety worker, driver and guard on tourist trains operated by the Museum and has kept the museum’s permanent rail track in safe working order for visitors and other volunteers.
Volunteer Team of the Year – The Zonta Club of the Blue Mountains volunteers
The 18 volunteer team members at the Zonta Club of the Blue Mountains have been instrumental at re-establishing the women’s support and advocacy service during the pandemic. The team has supported and mentored seven women in their educational journeys, including public affairs and STEM subjects.
The volunteers provide practical and emotional support for women in crisis accommodation and domestic violence victims. The team also established the HeForShe Award to acknowledge men advocating and working towards gender equity.
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 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year.
The 2022 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.