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 Western Sydney-Macarthur Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Volunteer of the Year
Macarthur Magic Football Club founder Geoff Golden has been named 2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Volunteer of the Year for his decades-long work helping young people with disabilities get on the field to enjoy and participate in sport.
2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Young Volunteer of the Year
Anika Shinde
Year 11 Hurlstone Agricultural High School student Anika Shinde co-founded the MYC Uncensored Podcast which has amassed an audience of 3,800 listeners in Australia and across the world. She has become a leading voice for female students to take on STEM subjects and get access to greater career opportunities. She also shares stories on women’s health, relationships and self-worth, and gives her time at school to support, uplift and inspire other students.
2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Adult Volunteer of the Year
Geoff Golden
Geoff Golden founded the Macarthur Magic Special Needs Football Club more than a decade ago and it has now grown into one of the largest and most successful inclusive football clubs in the country. It is entirely volunteer run, with Geoff as head volunteer, giving his time to manage the grounds, programming, volunteer recruitment, branding, uniforms, marketing, grants and sponsorships. The club provides a weekly, soccer-based program tailored for young people with disabilities. It fosters a non-competitive environment where the focus is on fun and participation where every child is encouraged to join in, express themselves, and enjoy the game at their own pace.
2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Senior Volunteer of the Year
Dot Lechner
Dot gives her time at Anglicare Barry Marsh Residential Care Home where she organises events and activities, fundraises, bakes, and builds companionship and connections with elderly people. Her volunteer duties have included organising visits from local veteran motorcycle groups and fundraising Her dedication and commitment have had a remarkable and positive impact on the aged care community at the home.
2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Peter Jensen
Peter is a camp facilitator and cultural inclusion advisor for Girls on Fire where he helps girls aged 14 to 19 to learn about, and prepare for, fire emergencies. As a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW, he draws on his deep knowledge and skills to encourage young women to learn more about emergency volunteering and the harsh realities of fire emergencies in Australia.
2025 South Western Sydney-Macarthur Volunteer Team of the Year
Community She Shed
The Community She Shed volunteer team has been the driving force to create a welcoming place for women across the Macarthur region to learn, develop new skills and provide a support network to help build confidence and new connections.
2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
