Would be Sydney inventor named 2018 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year

2018 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year

With 45 years experience working for computer software company IBM, George Tillett has so much knowledge and so many skills to offer his peers and the community.

George now spends much of his time volunteering for the Unique Solutions Service at TAD Disability Services in Sydney’s west, where he turns his own remarkable ideas into amazing projects and creations that help people, often young children, living with a disability. His work has earned him the 2018 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year Award, presented at a packed house in Sydney today.

The announcement was made in front of more than 300 community, business and political leaders and marks the end of a state-wide six month search spanning 112,000 individual nominations across 20 separate regional and suburban award ceremonies.

George’s most recent creations involve fitting-out and re-programming electronic motorised toy cars for young children to help them improve their movement and mobility. George will adjust seating, re-code the stopping and starting mechanisms and modify steering so that young children can use a joy stick rather than a steering wheel.

His attention to detail and ingenuity is helping break through barriers not just for young children but also their parents and family.

“George’s creative and persistent approach to problem solving, coupled with his compassion and desire to help, make him a very worthwhile recipient of the 2018 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year Award,” The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said.

“It’s been my privilege to meet George and all of our award finalists and I congratulate them all for their efforts.”

About The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards

The awards are an annual event run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in every region across NSW.

CEO, Gemma Rygate said “We hold these awards to highlight the contribution of all our volunteers. It gives us the opportunity to hear their stories, be inspired by their actions and pass on our thanks.”

A word from our Sponsors

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. 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 are available to view here.

Further photos taken by Susan White of Corporate Digital are available here.