2023 Hunter Volunteer Award Ceremony

Young Volunteer of the Year - Yasmin Jimmieson

Yasmin is an avid volunteer for a multitude of organisations.  She has been a member of the NSW State Emergency Service for almost six years and her continued hard work and dedication has allowed her to advance through the ranks and hold numerous positions within the leadership team.   She has spent countless hours attending, organising, and instructing unit training, and attending community engagement events.

Yasmin is also an instructor with the Australian Air Force Cadets and performs the roles of executive instructor and training officer. In addition to these large commitments, Yasmin travels all over the state volunteering for numerous youth organisations as a team leader.

Yasmin believes in empowering young women like herself to volunteer and leads by example. Yasmin is an influential, inspirational, and genuine member of the service and community, who goes above and beyond to support those around her.

Adult Volunteer of the Year – Jennifer Bourke

Jenny has provided support and information for incoming volunteers, Board, Committees and staff members for over 12 years. Her help has been invaluable in the seeking and promoting of support for the Show and its Society. Her work has resulted in the raising of public awareness of the competitions, programs and activities provided by the association. She has actively worked to promote and present the interest of the Show Society’s members to the notice of local councils and the broader business community.  Importantly Jenny has worked with the team to raise income by assisting with sponsorships, competitions and prizes.

Jenny has been the rudder and steadying hand that has guided and supported the Newcastle Show through a range of very challenging periods. She has always believed that good people working towards a common goal can accomplish anything they set out to do.

Jenny has remained a constant as there are many challenges that come with running a regional show. Some of the most common ones include understaffing, lack of funding, poor attendances, and difficulty in finding the right exhibitors and sponsors. Jenny has managed to work and inspire others to help to overcome these difficulties through her calm and reassuring manner and her unrelentless drive for service to others.

Senior Volunteer of the Year – Carole Delaney

Carole has volunteered at Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre since 2004. Carole comes from a background in social work, and has been instrumental in the running of the Emergency Relief Program – the program provides crisis support to the most vulnerable community members.

Carole has assisted thousands of community members, who have presented to the centre in crisis, through the provision of financial hardship aid, advocacy and referral. Carole also regularly shops for the community pantry and prepares food hampers for clients in need. Carole has also been an excellent mentor to new staff members entering the community services field – providing training and education on the Emergency Relief Program and how to provide the best outcomes for the Port Stephens Community.

Volunteer Team of the Year – Lions Club of Belmont & District

The Lions Club of Belmont & District provides a Mobile Shower/Laundry facility for the homeless and those in “Need”. While providing this basic need they also allocate care packs, clothing, food, essential cards, and various forms of support to those who we learn through discourse, have other needs. For example: Finding a mechanic who will repair a car that a lady is using as her home, tents to sleep in, blankets, towels etc.

Currently they service the Swansea Community Centre, Wyong Community Centre, and Survivors R Us.

People they assist greet the volunteers as friends often sit and chat and often have long interesting discussions.  The volunteers brighten their day, make them feel worthwhile, cared for and that is an essential human need.