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 North Shore Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2026 North Shore Volunteer of the Year
North Sydney SES Deputy Unit Commander Gabriel Dickinson has been named the 2026 North Shore Volunteer of the Year for his tireless commitment to community safety during storms and floods, and his dedication to his fellow volunteers.
The category winners for the regional awards are:
2026 North Shore Young and Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Gabriel Dickinson
Gabriel is a dedicated volunteer with the NSW State Emergency Service North Sydney Unit, as its youngest Deputy Unit Commander, Team Leader, Incident Controller, and Trainer.
He leads the unit’s emergency response during storms, floods, land searches and other incidents; mentors and trains other volunteers; and builds community connections and education, and youth partnerships and engagement.
Gabriel is also a volunteer with the UNSW Outdoors Club and a coach for his local soccer club.
2026 North Shore Adult Volunteer of the Year
Jeff Lewis
Jeff Lewis is a volunteer boat builder and sailor with the Making Waves Foundation where he uses his technical skills and knowledge on the water to help disengaged youth and people with disabilities experience sailing.
He has sailed the Sydney to Hobart as part of the supporting crew for people with disabilities and also built a new volunteer management software program to save costs and improve efficiency.
2026 North Shore Senior Volunteer of the Year
Carol Chaitowitz
Carol has been volunteering with the Listening Ear Helpline for the past 35 years, providing phone support to people experiencing loneliness, isolation, grief, and personal distress.
She has mentored and supported generations of new volunteers, contributed to training and peer learning, and helped build the organisation’s strong culture of compassion, connection and mutual support.
2026 North Shore Volunteer Team of the Year
Gidget Angels
The Gidget Angels volunteer team are parents with lived experience of perinatal depression, who share their stories to support others.
Their volunteer work includes storytelling through events, media and campaigns, as well as supporting research and advocacy. The 36 team members have contributed more than 450 hours of their time over the past 12 months, helping to reach 4,000 parents and raising awareness with significant media impact.
2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
