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 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2025 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year
Goonellabah football coach and Rainbow Roos founder Brad Ambridge has been awarded the 2025 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year, for his work building a safe and anxiety free place on the field for hundreds of children with additional needs or disabilities across the region.
2025 Northern Rivers Young Volunteer of the Year
Ella Vivian-Kay
Ella gives her time at the Byron Community Centre where she prepares, cooks and serves breakfast to people in need or without a home throughout the region. Her volunteering provides a nutritious start to the day for community members, but also reinforces the feeling of being valued and respected.
2025 Northern Rivers Adult Volunteer of the Year
Brad Ambridge
Qualified soccer coach Brad Ambridge founded the Rainbow Roos just over 12 months ago, and it is now providing a safe, inclusive and anxiety free place for hundreds of children to play football while building confidence and friendships.
Rainbow Roos caters for children with additional needs and disabilities to learn and play football in their own way at holiday camps, weekly training sessions, school programs and community events. Brad’s hard work is now helping more than 500 children learn new ball skills – but more importantly, life skills, kindness, empathy, compassion, and that everybody is different.
2025 Northern Rivers Senior Volunteer of the Year
Steve Cooke
Steve helps manage the Tool Library for Resilient Lismore, ensuring that people can access the safe and reliable equipment needed to rebuild their homes after the devastating 2022 floods.
Each week, he checks, tags and stores electrical equipment and white goods to make sure they are safe for people to borrow and use. His volunteering efforts have supported hundreds of families to rebuild their lives.
2025 Northern Rivers Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Vicki Surwald
Vicki gives her time at Resilient Lismore where she is the lead volunteer at the Tool Library, providing a vital role in supporting flood-affected communities to repair, rebuild and restore their homes and lives.
She coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Tool Library, manages stock and data systems, and supports and mentors other volunteers.
2025 Northern Rivers Volunteer Team of the Year
Livable Palliative Care Team Grafton
The seven members of the Livable Palliative Care Team give their time to provide end-of-life care and support to people and their families around the Grafton region.
The team provides assistance with daily tasks and respite care, a listening ear, and comfort and dignity during a very emotionally difficult time.
2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
