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 South Coast Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2025 South Coast Volunteer of the Year
Long-standing Eden volunteer Maree O’Neill has been awarded the 2025 South Coast Volunteer of the Year for her unwavering support over many years and across numerous community-focused organisations.
2025 South Coast Young Volunteer of the Year
Laura Hefill
Laura led the development of the peer-led project 4 Me 4 You, to make mental health support easier for young people. She volunteers with South Coast-based Sonder Youth which helps young people build mental health resilience and make positive contributions. She leads team-building activities, runs camp programs and provides strong support to camp participants.
2025 South Coast Adult Volunteer of the Year
Samarah McGovern
Through Sam’s dedication, care and hard work over 20 years, the tradition of the Debutante Ball has been kept alive in the South Coast town of Merimbula and the surrounding area. Sam gives her time through Far South Coast Legacy, where she liaises with young people and their families on the Debutante Ball, organises dance classes and event logistics.
2025 South Coast Senior Volunteer of the Year
Maree O’Neill
Maree gives her time across many community-led groups and programs to help bring people together, build resilience and make the Eden community stronger. She volunteers with Eden Recovery & Resilience Alliance, Eden Log Cabin, Eden Chamber of Commerce, the Eden Community Access Centre, Eden and Sapphire Coast Soccer Club, and numerous others.
2025 South Coast Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Lynette McFadden from Ulladulla
Lyn volunteers at the Ulladulla SES, where she helps lead, mentor and train a team volunteers dedicated to keeping the local community safe during storms and incidents. She has built up an accomplished knowledge base, covering logistics, communications, mapping and navigation, land search and rescue, first aid and mental health. She has also given her time with Marine Rescue NSW and is now the Ulladulla SES Deputy Unit Commander.
2025 South Coast Volunteer Team of the Year
Y Drive Volunteer Team Moruya
The volunteer crew at Y Drive has helped around 50 young people get their driver’s licence, providing them with practical skills, confidence, and safe driving techniques. The team provides driving lessons to enable learners to clock their compulsory day and night hours, helping people facing significant challenges, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals from CALD communities, people living with mental health conditions or disabilities, those at risk of homelessness, experiencing financial hardship, and young people without parental support.
2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
