2016 NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year – Ben Matthews

Ben Matthews of Newport, Newport Surf Life Saving Club

Ben Matthews, NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year

Ben Matthews is only 23 but he has been an active member of his local Surf Life Saving Club for 19 years: As a Patrol Captain Ben is responsible for managing a team of up to 20 volunteer lifesavers for each patrol. He also volunteers with the Rural Fire Service but perhaps Ben’s most inspiring volunteering is the mentorship he provides to children struggling with integrating into school and the community due to a disability. Ben understands their challenges as he has Cerebral Palsy. Ben also addresses school groups about how to deal with other’s differences and encourages them to reach out and embrace our separate identities.

Ben is an enrolled nurse who works in the Children’s Ward at RNS Hospital.

For the complete list of NSW Volunteer of the Year Award winners for 2016 visit our media release