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 Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2026 North Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year
Disability rights legal advocate Rosemary Wever has been named the 2026 North Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year for her work supporting people in need in the justice system.
The category winners for the regional awards are:
2026 North Western Sydney Young Volunteer of the Year
Maddox Howe
Maddox is a volunteer with Foodbank NSW where he helps to sort, label and pack rescued and excess food and groceries to distribute to people in need throughout the region.
The TAFE student has racked up more than 200 hours of volunteering and gives his time up to three times a week, including extra warehouse duties whenever required.
2026 North Western Sydney Adult Volunteer of the Year
Rosemary Wever
Rosemary volunteers with the Justice Advocacy Service (JAS), the 24-hour service provided by the Intellectual Disability Rights Organisation.
She gives her time at the Penrith and Windsor courts, ensuring that clients with cognitive impairments, mental health challenges or highly disadvantaged backgrounds have access to legal and emotional assistance.
She has used her professional legal training to provide support to clients across 65 court matters over the past three years.
2026 North Western Sydney Senior Volunteer of the Year
Joan Bruce
Joan gives her time at local community services provider Peppercorn Services where she supports seniors’ wellbeing and reduces social isolation through group activities and other social connection programs.
She has given her time over the past eight years helping to create safe, welcoming spaces where seniors can build friendships, strengthen social networks and maintain a sense of belonging.
2026 North Western Sydney Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Doreen McCulloch
Doreen McCulloch has volunteered with Fire & Rescue NSW Community Fire Unit in Windsor Downs for the past 11 years where she has helped to expand firefighting resources, recruited over 130 volunteers, and led training, inventory, and safety initiatives.
She has also contributed to building community libraries, donated a defibrillator, and assisted with wildlife rescue and safety programs.
2026 North Western Sydney Volunteer Team of the Year
Friendship Centre Counselling
The 200 members of the Friendship Centre Counselling team offer free, accessible counselling for vulnerable people experiencing addiction and relapse, anger management issues, domestic and family violence, grief, trauma, and other significant life challenges.
The team supports vulnerable populations, reducing barriers like cost and location to promote early intervention and better community wellbeing, resilience, and mental health.
2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
