Retired police officer and youth mentor named 2023 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony
Retired police officer and youth mentor Reg Mahoney has been named the 2023 NSW Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year for his dedicated support for communities across Southern Sydney region.
The recognition is part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, one of the largest celebrations of volunteering across the country.
The awards are run by The Centre for Volunteering to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of volunteers working across all sections of communities throughout the state. The Southern Sydney award winners for individual and team categories were also announced today at a special ceremony in Gymea.
2023 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Southern Sydney region are:
“I am immensely proud of the dedication and commitment to community that we see each year from volunteers across the state. The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards shine a light on these selfless efforts. Congratulations to today’s award recipients".
Jodie Harrison, NSW Minister with responsibility for VolunteeringYouth Volunteer of the Year - William McLean, Garie Surf Lifesaving Club
Sixteen-year-old Will Mclean is a dedicated surf lifesaving volunteer with Garie Surf Club where he helps beach goers safe on the sand and in the surf with his first aid and water safety skills.
Will has given his time to get his radio qualification, first aid certificates, to learn patrol skills and he supports the club with social media and other communications needs.
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Rachel Maree O'Toole, She Shed
Rachel Maree helped to create the Community She Shed, a safe place for women to come and be themselves, make friends, make crafts and learn new skills.
She helps to upskill women in areas such as woodwork, mechanics, art and sewing. Her volunteering helps women to connect, learn skills, create networks and open new opportunities.
Senior Volunteer of the Year – Reg Mahoney, Gymea Community Aid & Information Service
Retired police officer Reg Mahoney is a volunteer with the Youth to Inspire Change program run by the Gymea Community Aid and Information Service.
Reg’s volunteering dates back decades and across many organisations where he has been a role model and provided support to people from all walks of life. This includes volunteering with Elouera Surf club, Legacy, as a judo instructor with the NSW PCYC and with anti-violence support group Enough is Enough.
His volunteering work with the Youth to Inspire Change program helps support youth leadership workshops for Year 9 and 10 students across five schools in St George and Sutherland Shire. His volunteering supports multiculturalism, young people and aims to bring an end to domestic violence.
Volunteer Team of the Year – 3 Bridges Early Years Support Service
The 60 members of the 3Bridges Early Years Support Service provide vital emotional and practical support for vulnerable new mothers throughout the Southern Sydney region.
The volunteers help around 200 new mothers each year who are risk of being isolated from family or friends. They support mums who may have minimal support, who suffer from ill health or disability issues, have partners in the Australian Defence force, are new to the area or are experiencing postnatal depression high levels of anxiety.
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 5 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
