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 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2025 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year
Playgroup founder and volunteering veteran Joy Cuthbertson has been named the 2025 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year, for a lifetime of dedication to young children and families at the Carlton South Full of Joy Playgroup.
2025 Southern Sydney Young Volunteer of the Year
Jessica Farries
Jessica has volunteered with St John Ambulance NSW Sutherland Combined Division since she was 12 years old and is now the leading training coordinator for new cadets across the region. As the Cadet Leader, she develops lesson plans and skills-based training techniques for new recruits, ensuring the next generation of volunteer first aiders are fully equipped to respond and keep the community safe.
2025 Southern Sydney Adult Volunteer of the Year
Robyn Mapleson
Robyn teaches migrants from all over the world at her weekly English classes, before quickly swapping her notes to lead a growing band of singers in the choir at Gymea Community Aid & Information Services. Her engaging and passionate teaching has inspired more than 170 newly arrived migrants and would-be corallers to find their voice, grow confidence and build close connections throughout the community.
2025 Southern Sydney Senior Volunteer of the Year
Joy Cuthbertson
Joy has been the welcoming smile for thousands of young children and their families over the last half a century at the Carlton South Full of Joy Playgroup – named in her honour. At 83 years of age, she still leads a weekly playgroup session for around 30 children, providing a safe, caring and creative space for learning, friendship and play. Joy’s incredible lifetime of volunteering began in local parks and family homes, and has since expanded to the local hall, now organised through Playgroup NSW.
2025 Southern Sydney Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Neil Tinker
Neil’s commitment to saving lives on the water spans 10 years as a volunteer crew member and Boat Master for the Marine Rescue NSW Botany Port Hacking Unit. The volunteer Coxswain and Watch Officer also trains new recruits for crucial marine rescues and is an essential unit member, dedicated to ensuring local waters are safe for the community.
2025 Southern Sydney Volunteer Team of the Year
Grow, Restore, Connect Volunteer Program
The Grow, Restore, Connect program brings together a team of almost 500 volunteers who lovingly care for more than 100 Bushcare sites. They remove invasive weeds at the source, nurture naturally regenerating native seedlings, and collect and propagate local plant species — all to help protect and support environmental biodiversity.
2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
