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 New England/Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2026 New England/Northern Inland Volunteer Volunteer of the Year
Armidale volunteer Jenny Bourke has been named the 2026 New England/Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year, for her work across three leading local community groups that support people living with cancer, vulnerable renters and older people in care.
The category winners for the regional awards are:
2026 New England/Northern Inland Young Volunteers of the Year
Samuel Browning and Brooke Everett
Brooke and Samuel volunteer at the Tenterfield Railway Station Preservation Society where they give their time each Wednesday greeting visitors, compiling tourist information, helping events, and maintaining and restoring equipment.
2026 New England/Northern Inland Adult Volunteer of the Year
Gai Buchanan
Gai volunteers with the Justice Advocacy Service, the 24-hour service provided by the Intellectual Disability Rights Service.
She gives her time at the local courts, ensuring that clients with cognitive impairments, mental health challenges or highly disadvantaged backgrounds have access to legal and emotional assistance.
She has volunteered with the service for the past three years and also gives her time at Can Assist Uralla.
2026 New England/Northern Inland Senior Volunteer of the Year
Jenny Bourke
Jenny shares her volunteering duties across three leading local community organisations – Can Assist Armidale, Care for Seniors, and the New England & Western Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service.
She prepares meals, activities and bus outings for older people; raises money and provides care and support for people living with cancer; and provides governance, strategic advice and advocacy that supports vulnerable tenants.
2026 New England/Northern Inland Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Fiona Johnson
Fiona is the Local Commander of Peel Cluster at the NSW State Emergency Service where she oversees flood rescues, storm and disaster response, and helps to build community resilience.
She is a second generation SES volunteer with 15 years of volunteering under her belt, moving from the Hunter Valley to take on the volunteering role at Tamworth.
2026 New England/Northern Inland Volunteer Team of the Year
Country Women’s Association of NSW – Armidale Branch
The 50 members of the CWA Armidale Branch help to raise funds, advocate for vulnerable people and deliver life changing community support and services.
They cook, run events, lead civic conversations and advocate on important issues affecting rural and regional communities, including health, education, infrastructure and community wellbeing.
The team supported the establishment of the inaugural Medical Scholarship at the University of New England, helping to increase access to education for students in rural and regional NSW.
2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
