Registered Nurse and Paramedic has been named 2023 Southern Inland Volunteer of the Year
Southern Inland Young Volunteer of the Year, Annalise Denny, has been celebrated as the 2023 Hunter Volunteer of the Year for her commitment to community wellbeing.
The recognition comes as part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. Today’s Regional Ceremony, held at Goulburn Soldiers Club on Gundungurra and Ngunawal Country, also recognised category winners Catherine Culley, Barbara Foster, Sleepbus Queanbeyan, and so many incredible nominees in the region.
2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Southern Inland NSW region are:
"Volunteers from across the state’s Southern Inland region give their time and energy to help make their local community a better place. They help build healthy and well-connected communities across the region. "Their tireless work helps support people across health, education, sporting, and community sectors. Our awards recognise their work and give us the chance to say thank you."
Gemma Rygate, The Centre for Volunteering CEOYoung Volunteer of the Year - Annalise Denny
As a registered nurse and paramedic, Annalise Denney, dedicates her time to both St john ambulance Queanbeyan Division and Goulburn Division providing medical emergency training and mentoring to members. She has recently completed the requirements to join the Bicycle Emergency Response Team which responds to medical emergencies at very large community events on bicycle.
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Catherine Culley
Catherine Culley isn’t just leading Crookwell Pony Club to new heights; she’s a cornerstone of her community. During the recent horrific bushfires that impacted Golspie to Taralga Catherine, Catherine volunteered endless hours of euthanasia to animals affected by the fire. Despite being a busy vet and mother of three, she also gives her time to Crookwell Pups Rugby and St Mary’s Primary School Crookwell at carnivals and events.
Senior Volunteer of the Year – Barbara Foster
Barbara Foster leads a small band of volunteers to open the Cooma Cottage of the NSW National Trust, and garden to visitors – from schoolchildren to historians, film crews to family reunions and weddings. Barbara’s extensive role also involves organising major events like the recent 150th anniversary of Hamilton Hume. She leads regular property maintenance programs for the house and garden to safeguard the historical significance of the property.
Volunteer Team of the Year – Sleepbus Queanbeyan Volunteers
The Queanbeyan Sleepbus volunteer team turns up to provide safe sleeps whatever the weather or occasion providing overnight accommodation for homeless people. Each small sleeping pod comes with a mattress, pillows, sheets, blankets, a lockable door, USB charger and a television with a special channel showing services in the area for pathways out of homelessness. The Queanbeyan Sleepbus volunteer team duties include bus driving, caretaker, guest onboarding service and housekeeping. Since 2021, they have helped 1,163 people, ranging in age from 40 years to 70 years old, with safe sleeps
Finalists for the awards are announced at 25 Volunteer of the Year regional award ceremonies throughout NSW and are invited to the Gala State Ceremony for the announcement of the 2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year at the Gala Ceremony on Thursday 7 December in Sydney.
The 2023 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 1,100 not-for-profit clubs.
Principal Partners
Award Sponsors
