NSW Far West volunteers recognised for their outstanding contribution to volunteering!

Image above: Mayor Darriea Turley AM, City of Broken Hill Council and Sandra Haring – Adult and Overall winner for the Far West region.

Volunteers from across the NSW Far West were today recognised for their outstanding contribution to volunteering at a special ceremony in Broken Hill. 

The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards is an annual program run by The Centre for Volunteering which has grown to become one of the largest celebrations of volunteering across the country.

Regional finalists for the awards are announced at 21 ceremonies throughout NSW and are invited to the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney for the announcement of the 2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year.

The 2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the Far West region are:

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said volunteers from across the region had given so much to the local community.

“Your volunteers build connections for people in communities across the region,” Ms Rygate said.

“They help to build such positive experiences and links to services across health, education and community sectors. Our ceremony today recognises their work and allows us to say thank you.”

The Far West 2019 Volunteer of the Year is Sandra Haring who has led the St John Ambulance – Broken Hill Cadet Division for the past three decades. Over that time Sandra has helped generations of people learn vital first aid skills, as well as youth development and leadership skills.   

Gail Turner was awarded the 2019 Senior Volunteer of the Year for the region for her work over the past seven years as a volunteer Tai Chi teacher at the Far West Local Health District. Her work helping the elderly and people suffering with arthritis through Tai Chi is making a positive contribution to health and well-being throughout the region.

The 73 volunteers from the Broken Hill Hospital Auxiliary were awarded the Far West 2019 Volunteer team of the Year for their tireless fundraising in support of better health services for the people of the NSW Far West region. All the proceeds of their sales, fundraising or donations from the community are given to the Hospital by way of purchased equipment.

The team has helped raise over a one million dollars for the hospital over its long history.

The 2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are supported by principal partners the Department of Family and Community Services NSW and ClubsNSW, representing the state’s 1,400 not-for-profit clubs.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said volunteers made an enormous contribution to local communities.

“A vibrant volunteering sector leads to healthy and strong communities,” Mr Ward said.

“In NSW, volunteers contribute more than $5 billion to the economy each year and their social contribution is even greater. The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are a fitting way to say thank you.”

ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball said that volunteers were the backbone of licensed clubs across the state, so it was a natural fit for the industry to support such an important program.

“The calibre of our local volunteers never ceases to amaze me, and I’m proud to represent an industry in which around 32,000 volunteers help to make clubs such great places,” Mr Ball said.

“I congratulate all the volunteers who were recognised at today’s ceremony for their dedication and commitment.”