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 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2026 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year
Krazy Kosci Klimb organiser and Cerebral Palsy Alliance volunteer Bill Manning has been named the 2026 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year, for his decades long work helping young people with a disability to participate in a rich and life changing experience.
The category winners for the regional awards are:
2026 Southern Sydney Young Volunteer of the Year
Sunny Liu
Sunny has volunteered with the Australian Army Cadets and Lifeline for the past two years, giving almost 4,000 hours of her time to lead cadets and support people when they are most in need.
She has served as the Officer Commanding, Second-in-Command, and Training Officer of her cadet unit, ensuring the physical and mental safety and welfare of more than 150 members. She is also a telephone crisis supporter, where she listens to and supports people in distress, and mentors other volunteers.
2026 Southern Sydney Adult Volunteer of the Year
Bill Manning
Bill has been helping to organise the Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Krazy Kosci Klimb event since its inception more than 13 years ago, helping more than 200 young people believe in themselves and reach their goals.
He manages mountain logistics, safety, and volunteer coordination ensuring that young people with a disability can set and reach their goals and participate in challenging outdoor activities in one of the country’s most iconic environments.
2026 Southern Sydney Senior Volunteer of the Year
Paul Quinn
Paul has been volunteering at Calvary Health Care Kogarah for over six years where he supports people in palliative care through equipment delivery, community visits, and emotional support.
He ensures that the patients in palliative care have access to the specialist equipment they need, as well as companionship and welfare support that reduces loneliness and enhances emotional wellbeing.
2026 Southern Sydney Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Warren Rennie
Warren has been volunteering at North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club for almost 70 years, where he has helped maintain beach safety through patrols, rescues, coaching, and mentoring other surf lifesaving volunteers.
He has strengthened lifesaving’s standards, protected beach goers and trained several new generations of fellow surf lifesaving volunteers.
2026 Southern Sydney Volunteer Team of the Year
Calvary Biography Service
The 20 members of the Calvary Kogarah Biography Service volunteers help record the life stories of people in palliative care, allowing them to speak openly about their lives, relationships, achievements, fears and hopes.
They give their time, compassion and energy so people are heard and supported during the final chapter of their lives. Their work also supports memory projects, letters, eulogies and legacy items for families and future generations.
2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
