The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now in their 20th year and celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
Congratulations to the 2026 Award winners for the Central West Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2026 Central West Volunteer of the Year
Bathurst policing volunteer and community advocate Elizabeth Jane Talbot has been named 2026 Central West Volunteer of the Year, for two decades of giving and community service across the region.
The category winners for the regional awards are:
2026 Central West Young Volunteer of the Year
Harrison Dare
13-year-old Harrison Dare volunteers at local events as a youth advocate and with local community services.
His support reaches way beyond his age, helping Hilltops Youth Action Group, The Book Nook, Harden Kite Festival, the Rotary Community Garden, Zac’s Place Community Centre, and making craft items to donate to local not-for-profits and charities for fundraising raffles.
2026 Central West Adult Volunteer of the Year
Lyn Townsend
Lynn has been the driving creative and organisational force behind the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society for the past three decades. She has given thousands of hours to produce high-quality productions, while also supporting the development of the next generation of performers and creative leaders in regional NSW.
She introduced subtitles for hearing impaired audience members and pioneered autism-friendly performances, ensuring the theatre is welcoming and accessible to a broader cross-section of the community.
2026 Central West Senior Volunteer of the Year
Elizabeth (Jane) Talbot
Elizabeth (Jane) gives her time with the Volunteers in Policing program where she works with the Crime Prevention Unit at Bathurst Police Station. She provides essential administration tasks, including data entry and document scanning, allowing police to give more time to frontline work.
She also volunteers with the Lifeline Central West Book Fair, Bathurst Eisteddfod, 2MCE community radio, and Meals on Wheels.
2026 Central West Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Natalie Cole
Natalie is a first responder at the NSW State Emergency Service Sofala Unit where she attends emergency incidents, supports the training and mentoring of colleagues, and provides back up logistical support during floods, storms, crash rescues, and other serious and critical incidents.
2026 Central West Volunteer Team of the Year
White Tie Ball Fundraising Committee
The eight members of the White Tie Ball Fundraising Committee give their time over six months of the year, making sure that Housing Plus’ marquee fundraising event is a success.
They lead the planning, coordination and delivery of the event, from ticketing, sponsorship, sourcing raffle prizes and gift bags, coordinating donations, and managing event logistics. Their volunteering directly supports Orange Orchard, a refuge for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
