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 Orana Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2025 Orana Volunteer of the Year
Multicultural leader Ramesh Sharma has been awarded the 2025 Orana Volunteer of the Year, for his work building social cohesion and strong community connections with the Orana Residents of Indian Sub-Continental Heritage organisation.
2025 Orana Young Volunteer of the Year
Pearl Blackburn
Pearl packs so much volunteering into every single week. The Cobar High School student and cross-country runner gives her time at the student council, supporting student health and well-being programs, the Little Athletics and Show Girl Committees and many other programs and events.
2025 Orana Adult Volunteer of the Year
Ramesh Sharma
Ramesh gives his time with the Orana Residents of Indian Sub-Continental Heritage organisation, where he makes an invaluable contribution to building social cohesion, connections across communities and multiculturalism throughout the region. He is also a founding member of the Dubbo Nepalese Community, serving as a vital link between the Nepalese diaspora and the broader community, and promoting and preserving Nepalese language and heritage.
2025 Orana Senior Volunteer of the Year
Kerry Frost
Kerry is a grief counsellor, early responder for people experiencing loss and President of the Orana branch of the National Association for Loss and Grief NSW. Her volunteer work provides unwavering support to people at times of crisis and is in addition to her role on the board of the National Association for Loss and Grief NSW.
2025 Orana Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Christopher Milne
Christopher is an Ambulance NSW Community First Responder volunteer, providing lifesaving acute care, back up care, and support to people in and around Yeoval. He gave his time to complete the 12-month training before beginning his volunteer work and is now a vital cog in the emergency wheel for people throughout the region.
2025 Orana Volunteer Team of the Year
National Association for Loss and Grief
The National Association for Loss and Grief volunteer team give up their time to help people dealing with the trauma of an unexpected loss. They have helped more than 200 people in the past 12 months, giving around 2000 hours of assistance to make sure people feel heard and supported.
2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
