Today we gathered on beautiful Wiradjuri Country to celebrate the profound impact of volunteering in the Riverina region.
By travelling to all corners of the state, we shine a light on the incredible diversity of volunteering practices across different communities.
Today’s Riverina Ceremony, hosted at Wagga’s leading RSL club, was no exception as we shared many stories of resilience, camaraderie and compassion. These ranged from being cause-driven, inspired by personal experiences, or simply fuelled by a desire to fill a gap in the community.
The prestigious 2023 Riverina Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Brian Roy for his ongoing contributions to a long list of groups and programs. As a tireless Rotary volunteer leader and tradie, he has dedicated over two decades to supporting locals and his wider community.
We’re also delighted to announce our other fantastic winners, including Quade Smith from Can Assist Wagga Wagga; Shane Griffin from Albury Wheels on Meals, The Legacy Club of Albury, and NSW SES Murray Capability Unit; and the Wagga Wagga Branch of the CWA of NSW.
2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Riverina region:
Young Volunteer of the Year – Quade Smith
Can Assist Wagga Wagga
Over the past two and a half years, 14-year-old Quade Smith has been a tireless supporter and volunteer for Can Assist Wagga Wagga. Can Assist provides crucial support for people, and their families, diagnosed with cancer.
He began his fundraising in support of his mother who was diagnosed. He has since gone on to raise $21,000 for the Can Assist network, even cutting his long hair as part of his fundraising efforts.
Quade is now a regular supporter of the group and its events, volunteering wherever and whenever he can.
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Shane Griffin
Albury Wheels on Meals, The Legacy Club of Albury, NSW SES Murray Capability Unit
Shane has been a volunteer at Albury Wheels on Meals, The Legacy Club of Albury, and is a Deputy Unit Commander with the NSW SES Murray Capability Unit.
He has given his time for more than 30 years in many committee roles as well as a volunteer Meals on Wheels driver, firefighter and SES responder across numerous flood and fire events.
Senior Volunteer of the Year – Brian Roy
South Wagga Wagga Rotary
South Wagga Wagga Rotary volunteer Brian Roy has spread his support far and wide across the region and its many organisations, helping hundreds of people along the way.
He has been at the helm of his local Rotary Club across many formal roles, however his role as a volunteer handyman, cook, fundraiser, ticketer, gardener and driver has had the greatest impact.
His volunteering has supported the Wagga Show Society, the Wagga Dance Eisteddfod, Lilier Lodge, Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust, Country Hope, Kidney Foundation and the Salvation Army.
Volunteer Team of the Year – Wagga Wagga Branch of the CWA of NSW
The 16 volunteer team members at the Wagga Wagga Branch of the Country Women’s Association of NSW support many organisations and causes throughout the region. They help to bridge isolation, provide fundraising support and build healthy connections across the community.
View Riverina Awards Ceremony photos. The full photo gallery from the ceremony coming soon.
Stay tuned as the regional finalists are announced at 25 ceremonies throughout NSW. Following this, your regional winners are invited to the Gala State Ceremony for the announcement of the 2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year.
The 2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards is supported by principal partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW, which represents the state’s 1,400 not-for-profit clubs.