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 Hunter Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2025 Hunter Volunteer of the Year
Soul Hub Newcastle guest support worker David Dorhauer has been awarded the 2025 Hunter Volunteer of the Year, for his service to people in need across the city.
2025 Hunter Young Volunteer of the Year
Alyssa Wharton
Newcastle cricketer Alyssa works hard on the pitch, but even harder on the sidelines as a volunteer, supporting young players and encouraging more girls to take to the field. She gives her time as the Cricket Blast Coordinator and Women’s Coordinator at the Newcastle City & Eastern Districts Cricket Club. She also umpires, coaches and mentors young players and organises cricket carnivals for the Newcastle District Cricket Association.
2025 Hunter Adult Volunteer of the Year
David Dorhauer
David gives his time as a guest support worker at Soul Hub Newcastle where he welcomes clients who wish to enjoy a healthy, hot meal in a safe and welcoming environment. He’s on deck for between 4 and 7 shifts each week, managing the volunteer crew, training new team members and organising breakfast. His work has a big impact on people experiencing homelessness, poverty or isolation.
2025 Hunter Senior Volunteer of the Year
Fay Smith
Fay has volunteered at Belmont Hospital for close to a decade, giving more than 5,000 hours at the hospital’s volunteer kiosk, the Meet and Greet program, and fundraising and patient services. She also serves on the Belmont Hospital Volunteers Auxiliary and on the hospital’s Consumers Committee, leading to numerous hospital and district-wide improvements for patients and health consumers.
2025 Hunter Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Warren Eades
Warren has volunteered at Lake Macquarie Marine Rescue for the past 30 years to keep people safe on the water, assisting with towing broken vessels, guiding larger boats, and in search and rescue operations.
2025 Hunter Volunteer Team of the Year
LIVEfree Project Backyard Brekky Team
The 20 Backyard Brekky volunteers prepare fresh breakfasts and free grocery hampers for people facing homelessness, financial hardship, social isolation and family violence. The team cooks, serves, and cleans up one day a week, serving around 160 people and families, and ensuring everyone is met with a warm meal and a welcoming environment.
2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
