Orana Far West 2014 VOYA

Overall Winner – 2014 Volunteer of the Year  Orana Far West region

Bob Barden of Dubbo Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Collected on behalf of Robert ‘Bob’ Barden (right) & Mayor, Dubbo City, Clr Mathew Dickerson (left)

Bob has not only volunteered ‘on the ground’ at Taronga Western Plains Zoo for 27 years, he is also the chairman of the volunteer committee. The zoo appreciates Bob’s high degree of professionalism and good humour. His good nature assists with his duties as a skilled interpreter, providing public information on the zoo, animals and conservation projects as well as leading tours for a wide variety of groups. Bob is an excellent chairman of the volunteer committee and a great volunteer and guide. His volunteer work deserves to be acknowledged. Bob also won the regional Senior Volunteer of the Year category.

2014 Adult Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Anthony Roy Judd of West Wyalong St John Ambulance Australia (NSW)

Anthony Roy Judd (right) & Mayor, Gilgandra Shire Council, Clr Doug Batten (left)

Anthony is highly valued and respected member of the St John Ambulance (NSW) Southern Region with a strong commitment to service. Anthony is a Regional Paramedic for the Southern Region (NSW) and performs the role of Regional Professional Officer coordinating Southern Regions Health Care Professionals (HCP). He has been volunteering at St John Ambulance Australia since 2010 and has volunteered for more than 700 hours. Anthony travels extensively to train volunteers in the Southern Region, represents the organisation at events and helps coordinate Health Care Professional volunteers. Anthony has made a significant contribution to the Southern region due to his training and teaching methods. He has been a NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer for the past 10 years and also had 10 years of service with the Australian Army Reserves.

2014 Senior Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Bob Barden of Dubbo Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Please see Overall Winner for description

2014 Volunteer Team of the Year

Winner: The Broken Hill Women’s Auxiliary Royal Flying Doctors Service, South East Section team (represented by Margaret Symes).

This hard-working and dedicated team organises the Royal Flying Doctors Service South East Section Ball each May and hand makes and cooks more than 2,000 Christmas Puddings for distribution across Australia. Last year, the group raised more than $90,000 for the Broken Hill Base of the Royal Flying Doctors. The Ball takes months to plan, sell tickets and arrange raffles prizes and entertainment. This team does everything from cleaning to setting up and decorating. Their contribution allows the Broken Hill Base of the RFDS to continue the delivery of services, such as medical, dental and remote clinics and to fly patients out from the remote region to major hospitals in South Australia and Sydney. Many of the team also volunteer with other community organisation. The commitment of this exceptional group of women helps keep the traditional fabric of the Broken Hill Community strong.

Honour Roll of Nominees

2014 Adult Volunteer of the Year

• Thomas Coates of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
• Peter Judd of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
• Greg O’Mally of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
• Sue Ryan of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
• Elke Weinbrecht of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

2014 Senior Volunteer of the Year

• Robert (Bob) Browne of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
• Janet Daley of Broken Hill who volunteers with Broken Hill Hospital.
• Ros Ryan of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
• Leonie Saville of Dubbo who volunteers with Taronga Conservation Society Australia – Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

2014 Volunteer Team of the Year

• Lynne Abbott , Bev Rayner and the one hundred twenty, including two key coordinator volunteers who make up the Coonabarabran Guides Driver Reviver team.
• Wayne Phillips and the seventeen volunteers who make up the Coonamble Lions Club team.
• Steve Moore and the approximately 25 volunteers who make up the NSW State Emergency Service Broken Hill Unit team.
• Joan Bibby and the six volunteers who make up the team from the Community Transport Lightening Ridge.