Volunteer veteran from St John Ambulance selected for 2018 Excellence in Volunteer Management Award

Colin Lott from St John Ambulance NSW is a true veteran of volunteering.

He has volunteered for more than 40 years and is now the Assistant Commissioner for Metropolitan Operations at St John where he oversees 1,600 volunteers working over 30 divisions for St John Ambulance Australia (NSW).

His tireless work coordinating the volunteer activities at St John Ambulance NSW has earned him the 2018 Excellence in Volunteer Management Award.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said Colin had worked tirelessly to improve the volunteering experience and had been a trusted mentor and guide for many.

“Colin has been the driving force behind the management, delivery and improvement of the St John volunteer efforts across the state,” Ms Rygate said.

“This includes how St John trains, equips, deploys recruits and retains its volunteers.

“It’s a testament to Colin?s dedication that he can match this volunteer work with his full time policing duties as a Chief Inspector at Tuggerah Local Area Command.”

The Awards are in their 12^th year and have grown to become one of the biggest events recognising volunteering across the country.

The 2018 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are supported by principal partners the NSW Department of Family and Community Services and ClubsNSW, which represents the state’s 1,400 not-for-profit clubs. They are also supported by Mint Awards and Thrifty Car & Truck Rentals.

NSW Minister responsible for Volunteering, the Hon. Ray Williams MP, said the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are an important way to recognise the contribution of the 2.1 million volunteers working throughout NSW.

“It was an honour to meet and talk with so many esteemed volunteers today who work so hard for their local communities,” Mr Williams said.

“I congratulate all our award finalists and those volunteers selected to receive the Volunteer of the Year Awards.

“You all make a special contribution to your local communities, right across NSW. We can all learn from hearing your stories and celebrating your efforts.”

ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball said that volunteers were the backbone of registered clubs across NSW.

“On behalf of an industry which relies upon 32,000 volunteers, I congratulate all of these deserving winners,” said Mr Ball.

“These awards recognise the huge contribution that volunteers make in their local communities, and ClubsNSW is proud to be a principal partner.

“Clubs across NSW rely on volunteers to help make their venues a great place to socialise, which in turn adds billions of dollars to the NSW economy every year.”

Photos of the event are kindly supplied by Michael Mannington, Volunteer Photography www.volunteerphotography.org, and are available to view here.

Further photos taken by Susan White of Corporate Digital, corporatedigital.com.au, are available here.