The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now in their 19th year and celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
Congratulations to the 2025 Award winners for the Central Coast Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2025 Central Coast Volunteer of the Year
Shelly Beach Surf Lifesaver Lynnette Vuradin has been awarded the 2025 Central Coast Volunteer of the Year for her work mentoring young life savers and maintaining beach safety for people across the region.
2025 Central Coast Young Volunteer of the Year
Tahlia Blanshard
Tahlia has been volunteering with Cerebral Palsy Alliance for the past six years, supporting programs and events to encourage physical activity, fitness and to build strength and mobility. Alongside her volunteering, she carries out national duties as a key defender with the Australian ParaMatildas football team. She continues to find time to assist young people with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities to empower them to challenge themselves.
2025 Central Coast Adult Volunteer of the Year
Lynnette Vuradin
Lynnette is a Patrol Captain with the Shelly Beach Surf Club, where she gives her time to keep beaches safe. She mentors new surf lifesaving volunteers. She is also an age manager, events official, rescue watercraft operator and trainer, and founded the Ladies on Patrol group to encourage and support women in surf lifesaving. Lynnette is a regular participant in the Beach to Bush program, which teaches beach and surf safety skills to school-aged children in regional NSW.
2025 Central Coast Senior Volunteer of the Year
Laurie Sweet
Laurie shares his volunteering across many different projects, causes and organisations. He teaches sustainable fishing practices through Fishcare NSW and the Gwandalan Fishing Club, including helping women, school children and NDIS participants learn about fishing and the outdoors. He also gives his time with We Care Connect, preparing support packages for families, and repairing and restoring donated items including cots, prams, toys and other essential items. In addition, Laurie has been an active member of the Gwandalan and Summerland Point Peninsula Improvement Group for the past seven years, advocating for his local community on issues that affect them.
2025 Central Coast Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Marine Rescue Hawkesbury
The 50 volunteers at Marine Rescue Hawkesbury are on call 24-7 to respond to boating incidents across the 110 kilometres of the Hawkesbury River and surrounding waterways. The team covers radio operations, rescue vessel crewing, mentoring, equipment maintenance and public engagement. They also respond to floods and medical emergencies in isolated, river-only-access communities, they deliver supplies and support post-disaster clean-up.
2025 Central Coast Volunteer Team of the Year
Fairhaven Op Shopping Village Volunteers
The 60 Fairhaven Op Shopping Village Volunteers sort, clean, display, and sell donated items to raise money for disability services and provide essential items for The Man’s Bag and Share the Dignity organisations. The team mentor new volunteers and support employees with disabilities, helping them to build confidence and develop practical employment skills.
2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
