Volunteers are the backbone of rural and regional communities – and Alf Cantrell from Yeoval is living proof.
This afternoon we came together to say thanks to all the amazing volunteers in the Central West at the regional ceremony for the 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year awards.
And it was a big afternoon for the small rural town of Yeoval, with local volunteering legend Alf Cantrell taking out the region’s Volunteer of the Year Award.
Congratulations also go to Trundle’s Carolyn Keep who won the Adult Volunteer of the Year Award and the 21 members from the Canowindra branch of the NSW Country Women’s Association who were named the region’s Volunteer Team of the Year.
2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Central West region:
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Carolyn Keep from Trundle
Carolyn and her team have run the NSW Cancer Council Trundle Pink Ribbon event for the past six years, helping to raise more than $100,000 for patient transport, treatment, accommodation and financial assistance.
Carolyn and the event organising committee are helping Trundle – with a population of under 1,000 people – to punch well above its weight in important fundraising for cancer research, advocacy and support.
Senior Volunteer of the Year – Alf Cantrell from Yeoval
Alf has volunteered with many community-based organisations over the past 40 years and beyond. However his work to establish and maintain Yeoval’s Banjo Paterson Museum stands head and shoulders above all others.
Alf volunteers at the museum seven days a week as the curator of the extensive display as well as the tour guide when groups arrive. He also doubles up as cook and waiter for the Clancy’s Cafe which is the fund raising arm of the Museum.
He established the museum more than a decade ago as way to celebrate the great Australian poet’s early year in Yeoval, and it is now a popular tourist attraction.
Alf has also volunteered as President of the local Pony Club, Progress Association, the Yeoval School Parents and Citizens Association, and he was President and horse steward at the Yeoval Show Society for 11 years. He also started and chaired the very successful Yeoval Mulga Bill Festival for five years before sharing his experience at the Cabonne Countrywide Festival.
Volunteer Team of the Year – CWA of NSW Canowindra Branch
The 21 volunteers at Canowindra Branch of the NSW Country Women’s Association carry on a great 98-year tradition of community giving and support.
Its members volunteer with the local Driver Reviver stop, staff the canteen at the Canowindra Rugby League home games, deliver Meals on Wheels each month, and provide helpers at the Canowindra Food Basket every Friday morning.
They also delivered food parcels to farming families and other community members impacted by COVID-19 and provide cooking demonstration at the annual Australian National Field Days.
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.