Volunteering Central Coast Annual Awards

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Winner: Tony Ward
Volunteer Organisation: Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve

Tony Ward commenced volunteering at Wayside Chapel in the 1980s and was also Present of local primary school P&C. He organised logistics for environmental workshops for many years. Tony had a stroke on Australia Day 2016 where he lost his speech and his ability to read and write. 

Despite this Tony volunteered at the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve as soon as he was fit enough to walk. He tackled stabilising the steep slopes on the Reserve by hammering 1-metre-longstakes into the slope, placing kopper logs behind the stakes and then planting out with Lomandra. Tony lives in Toukley and walks 3klms+ out to the Lighthouse Reserve on every Tuesday and Friday to volunteer. 

In addition to the Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve, Tony Ward also volunteers with the local Norah Head Coast Care Volunteers weeding and replanting native plants on Bush Street Reserve, the Norah Head Cemetery and the Jenny Dixon Beach Reserve.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Annette Kelly
Nominating Organisation: Peninsula Villages Umina

Annette Kelly is committed in making a difference the Peninsula Villages residents’ lives. She shows compassion, empathy and understanding to all she encounters. She helps staff with activities, meal delivery, mail delivery and so so much more.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Gary Gilday
Nominating Organisation: Peninsula Villages Umina

Gary Gilday is committed in making a difference the Peninsula Villages residents’ lives. He shows compassion, empathy and understanding to all he meets. He helps staff with activities, meal delivery, mail delivery and so so much more.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Lynette Mitchell
Nominating Organisation: Central Coast Council over 50s Leisure Centre - Gosford

Lynette is always on top of duties, she goes above and beyond, nothing is ever a problem. Her cheerful bright smile is such a welcome to our patrons. She is one of the hardest working people I know. Her duties include working in the kitchen, cooking meals, helping with the setup of equipment of our activities, cleaning and anything else she can find to do. We truly all love this bit of sunshine in our days. I believe she really does deserve to be volunteer of the year!

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Helen Spinner
Nominating Organisation: Peninsula Villages

Helen worked at Peninsula Villages as an EEN, retired and then returned as a volunteer in our Wellbeing Department in Pozieres House. Helen has such a wonderful rapport with the residents and also has the ability to see things from a professional view with her past nursing experience. She is so reliable and versatile, and nothing is a problem for her. She contributes to our department with her professional and holistic observations that other less experienced volunteers may not be able to achieve. 

Helen has picked up on many residents that may be isolating or starting to develop a depression and has been able to hand over to us so we could review the residents and assist them with their mental health needs through social support. We are very lucky to have her on our team and we thank her for all she does for us and our residents.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Grace Wu
Nominating Organisation: Fairhaven Services

Helen worked at Peninsula Villages as an EEN, retired and then returned as a volunteer in our Wellbeing Department in Pozieres House. Helen has such a wonderful rapport with the residents and also has the ability to see things from a professional view with her past nursing experience. She is so reliable and versatile, and nothing is a problem for her. She contributes to our department with her professional and holistic observations that other less experienced volunteers may not be able to achieve. 

Helen has picked up on many residents that may be isolating or starting to develop a depression and has been able to hand over to us so we could review the residents and assist them with their mental health needs through social support. We are very lucky to have her on our team and we thank her for all she does for us and our residents.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Petrea Pritchard
Nominating Organisation: St John Ambulance NSW

Petrea is an amazing volunteer who administers first aid at events all over NSW. Petrea is well known as a mentor when on public events. Petrea also has taken the role of youth leadership in the Coastal Waters Combined division. She delivers and plans lectures, coordinates persons to deliver the courses and supports the youth members in the division.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Chris Round
Nominating Organisation: Uniting

Christine has volunteered with Uniting since 2018. She helps support two facilitated playgroups a week. Without Chris's support Uniting would not be able to run the playgroups effectively. Christine has many years of experience as a teacher and utilises her knowledge and skills when working with vulnerable families. She is kind, generous and empathetic towards our families. Chris is very consistent, works well with all team members and had demonstrated her flexibility to changes particularly over the past two years with Covid lockdowns. Chris always has a smile on her face. Her dedication to Uniting and her work with families is exemplary.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Kathy Patterson
Nominating Organisation: Radio Five O Plus 93.3FM

Apart from her more than ten-year service here at Radio Five O plus where she has trained many other volunteers support staff to assist in office Admin roles, she represents our Station at Guest Speaking events for local View and Probus clubs within the central Coast community and is a popular and dynamic On-Air presence with her striking voice and inimitable style. 

Kathy is also a dedicated Legatee, helping out at Legacy village in Gosford by overseeing Bingo games, helping serve special morning teas for widows and other legatees, she also volunteers to accompany village residents on bus tours, she ensures no one's birthday or loss of a loved one is forgotten. Kathy is a stunning80 year old who defies age and inspires others with her energy, enthusiasm, commitment and kindness. A primary school teacher in her working life she continues her love of learning and has over the years helped New Australians to learn English. 

Unafraid to take on anything and everything from a tea party to the latest challenge in technology, this lady is inventive, creative and constantly striving to improve the quality of our on-air music programs for the over 50's in the wider Central Coast area. An avid gardener, Kathy attends and supports Community run events, local sports and theatrical performances. 

With energy to burn Kathy embodies tenacity, love of life and a truly generous spirit in serving her community which she holds to be a privilege. Kathy has over time served on the Board of the Radio Station and was tireless during the last two years when our station struggled throughout Covid to staff and to maintain our on-air presence. She did not once waver in her energy or commitment. A truly bright light and most definitely the right person to receive such an award.

Category: Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Cynthia Murphey
Nominating Organisation: Brisbane Water Girl Guides

Cynthia has volunteered with Brisbane Water guides in excess of 40 years. She has held many roles from running Brownie units, being Region Manager, District Manager in several districts etc. Cynthia is currently the District Manager of Terrigal/Kincumber District. Due to leader shortages in this district Cynthia is also running the weekly meetings for both the Guide and the Junior Guide weekly meetings. 

Cynthia also oversees the management of the Guide Property at Somersby, known as Camp Chapman. She manages all bookings, organises all equipment and ground/maintenance work required on the bush acreage. Cynthia is also involved in the production of costumes for the Central Coast Gang show, which is a combined theatre production with the local Scout Association. To list everything Cynthia does would be a mammoth task and guiding certainly is in debt to Cynthia's for the amount of volunteer work Cynthia has provided.

Category: Volunteer Manager of the Year 2022
Winner: Kyle Hogan
Nominating Organisation: Coast Shelter

Kylie is an amazing Volunteer Coordinator who is extremely passionate and caring in supporting our 100 plus strong volunteer workforce. Kylie has only been in the position for a few years and the amazing change she has implemented to support and keep our volunteers safe has been outstanding. Kylie has used technology to improve our compliance, recruitment, onboarding, and orientation processes to make it easier for volunteers to join our organisation. 

Kylie has established strong relationships with all our volunteers ensuring that they are engaged and feel part of the entire Coast Shelter team. Throughout the pandemic Kylie went above and beyond to keep our volunteers engaged so they were not isolated when they could not physical be on site. This was done though phone calls, monthly newsletters and regular online team gatherings. 

Her commitment to growing our volunteers as seen several new programs and positions created which has changed the lives of our clients. An example of this is CoastShelters Driver mentor program which has seen over 5 young people obtain their driver’s licence.

Category: Volunteer Manager of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Marilin Perez-Cabrera
Nominating Organisation: Northern Settlement Services

Marilin coordinated the volunteer team through the pandemic with a high level of support. Her volunteer team provided the most precious individual social support to the people over 65 Yrs. across the Central Coast. She always communicates with the volunteers passionately, leading them professionally and in line with the code of ethics.

All volunteers know Marilin as a kind, caring leader who gives them always clear and comprehensive guidelines when needed. She is always available to listen to them no matter if they want professional or personal support. Marilin is a one of the best role models for the Duty of Care in a workplace and as a team member. 

Whilst she has been coordinating volunteers for NSS for more than 10 years there has never been any complaints from her volunteers in the long period of the time but many complements! She really deserved to get a reward.

Category: Volunteer Manager of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Dianne Buettner
Nominating Organisation: Lake Haven Court Aged Care Facility

Dianne has been working at our facility for 16 years as a Lifestyle Officer and has been the key point of contact for our volunteers in that time, Dianne has maintained the same volunteers for 16 years who are consider much more than a volunteer. Dianne is invested in engaging with each volunteer and finding their key strengths and associate activities that are in line with these and the engagement for residents best suited.

Category: Volunteer Manager of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Michelle Parrish
Nominating Organisation: Wesley Aunties & Uncles

Michelle manages 250+ volunteer mentors known as aunts and uncles who provide safe, nurturing and long-term mentoring to children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. This is a high-risk program and requires strict policy, procedures and oversight to maintain safety for all children, whilst also providing them with organic fun and opportunity. Michelles been in this role for 1 years, it is her passion.

Category: Corporate Volunteer of the Year 2022
Winner: Kwik Copy - Peter Clarke
Nominating Organisation: Rotary Club of Erina

Peter and his staff have for many years given their time and assistance with design, artwork, and printing of flyers, brochures, and posters for our major events such as the Century Challenge Cycle Ride. The staff have always been very helpful with changes and any problems which may have occurred. Kwik Kopy have heavily discounted costs or sponsored our charitable events, without which our contribution to local charities would have been far less.

Category: Corporate Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Bendigo Bank - Michael Bell
Nominating Organisation: Regional Youth Support Services 

Bendigo staff always go above and beyond volunteering expectations- at CC Comicon we can have over 4000 attendees, staff help on the event day and tellers run the gates, cash handling, customer welcoming and management and assist throughout the event. This is a massive event for children, young people and families and they whole heartedly embrace the event and assisting any way they can (one year they handled outlets for the ticket sales distribution). Michael is gold he always helps our community and helped with the Bank of Goodwill video to help promote RYSS and Central Coast Comicon community event.

Category: Young Volunteer of the Year 2022
Winner: Samantha Laundess
Nominating Organisation: LINKS Youth Support Service 

Samantha is an amazing young person who has a passion for helping others. Samantha is a team leader at Northlakes High Schools Leo club, which is a school charity organisation ran by young people. She is seen as a mentor by her peers in this organisation as she helps manage the Leo's in community drives and other projects. 

Samantha has raised money for Elsie's retreat which is the Central Coast's first dedicated in-patient palliative care unit. Samantha has also helped raise money for the Central Coast Autistic Ball. 

She regularly volunteers her time at Bunnings charity barbecues for her Leo's group and at Raw challenge events. She has won multiple principle's awards for her achievements and is truly an inspiration for volunteers young and old.

Category: Young Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Thomas Johnson
Nominating Organisation: St John Ambulance NSW 

Thomas has stepped up to become a cadet leader now that he is 18 years old. He mentors and assists with education in the division. Thomas also sorts logistics for deploying teams to events. Thomas is also in Wadalba rural fire service.

Category: Young Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Bianca Thomas
Nominating Organisation: The Skill Engineer Ltd 

Bianca is a kind, caring and valuable part of our team here at The Skill Engineer Ltd. She has volunteered across the coast including Cadets, volunteering for 6years in High School, Coast Shelter throughout 2021/2022, Unlocked Youth Committee member and volunteer musician at Living Choice Retirement Village, Woy Woy.

Category: Young Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Samantha Hunter
Nominating Organisation: St John Ambulance NSW

Samantha volunteers in the role of a first aid responder/cadet at various events on the Central Coast. Samantha is now attending leadership courses and has recently been promoted to cadet Corporal. Sam is friendly and cheerful and loves helping new cadets who join the division.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Winner: Kenneth Schneider
Nominating Organisation: St John Ambulance NSW

Ken began his volunteering journey with St John Ambulance NSW in January 1953 as a cadet. Since that time, he has held every role at one time or another from cadet to Area Manager. His outstanding volunteering commitment has spanned 65 years and earner him an Order of Australia Medal and a commander of St. John Medal. 

Very soon after having extensive heart surgery this year Ken was back in the saddle doing education for the Men’s Shed on men’s health and CPR. Ken frequently attends education sessions on the Central Coast mentoring groups such as caravan groups and such. 

Ken never misses a chance to mentor and educate youth members and always makes new members to the division always feel welcome. Kens wife has health struggles, and he also is her carer.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Peter Turner
Nominating Organisation: St Vincent de Paul Wyong

Peter has been volunteering and helping the community for 10+ years within St Vincent de Paul, in various roles, at various centres and in various ways. He has a great rapport with everyone we assist and can defuse a difficult situation respectively.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Phil Tooke
Nominating Organisation: CC Council 50+ L& L - Ettalong

Phil has been helping at the Ettalong 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre since I started 6 years ago. He has been both helpful and supporting to previous and present staff, volunteers and members. Phil has been a convener running activities, teaching new members the rules of indoor bowls and has been my receptionist on days where staff couldn't manage it all on their own. 

Phil will come in on days off to assist when needed and has always been loyal to staff and helpful and supportive of new volunteers and staff. Over the years Phil has been doing all kinds of odd jobs to assist in the day to day running of the centre and we would struggle to do it without him. An asset to the Senior's in the community.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Heather Brown
Nominating Organisation: Fairhaven Services

Heather has volunteered with Fairhaven over the years in a variety of capacities and has for many years now been one of the main people in our clothing sorting area. Heather has always been dedicated and conscientious and prides herself on the volume of clothing that she can get sorted at each shift. The value of the goods she has been able to get sorted, priced and out onto the retail racks must be in the 10's of thousands of dollars by now if not more. Heather volunteers with us, a disability services organisation, while having an adult child of her own to care for. She is one of the most reliable volunteers we have ever had and has made a huge contribution to the lives of people living with disability though her work at Fairhaven.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Pamela Hodge
Nominating Organisation: RFBI Lake Haven Masonic Village

Pamela is reliable, kind, caring, thoughtful and the type of person who makes everyone feel comfortable.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Cheryl Hayward
Nominating Organisation: RFBI Lake Haven Masonic Village

Cheryl is always reliable, punctual and very considerate of others and the residents she cares for. Cheryl remembers everyone's birthdays, and any special interest or hobby that each person has. Cheryl always puts others first and has continued to volunteer even during the covid lockdowns because she knew that the residents needed her.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Finalist: Doug Manning
Nominating Organisation: RFBI Lake Haven

Doug has been volunteering for many years, providing a sense of fun, companionship and support to the residents. Doug is always reliable, cheerful and trustworthy. Doug will also help out at other times even when not rostered on and is a wonderful role model and friend to our residents.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Ray Southeren
Nominating Organisation: RYSS

Ray has committed to Regional Youth Support Services for over 20 years as a volunteer - maintenance at Wyoming Youth Centre and Parkside, running events with RYSS, fundraising activities, linking training and supports to RYSS, help in the Youth Arts Warehouse since 2013- building many productions sets/theatre help, too many 'working bee' days to mention, and an advocate/mentor support to local vulnerable young people. 

Ray has an OAM and is a long-standing Rotarian and is very committed to his local community and is loved by many! In recent years he joined the RYSS Board and is now the Treasurer and is the chairperson of the fundraising committee and instrumental in Central Coast Comicon a huge local pop culture family day/fundraiser event.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Garry Kirkby
Nominating Organisation: Central Coast Riding for the Disabled

RDA provides riding for over 70 Central Coast school and independent riders per week entirely staffed by dedicated volunteers. Garry Kirkby has been a volunteer and coach with Riding for the Disabled for over 25years. 

He works tirelessly to ensure that our riders can enjoy the positive mental and physical benefits that horse riding can provide. He coaches 5 classes per week and travels from St Hubert’s Island at least three times per week to coach these classes and provide other administrative and organisational tasks critical to our Centre’s continuing success. 

He has also been a committee member and President of our Centre for many years whilst continually supporting and mentoring all RDA volunteers and riders. RDA relies heavily on public donations and Garry has been our spokesman for several years giving presentations to community groups to gain ongoing financial support so that we can continue our wonderful service.

Category: Living Legend Volunteer of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: John Shamus O'Reilly (Known as Shamus)
Nominating Organisation: Coast Shelter

Volunteering for Coast Shelter since 2002, John O’Reilly, affectionately known as Shamus, has for many years donned his heavy-duty overalls to do the weekly industrial clean of our community centre restaurant. For those doing it tough on the Central Coast, the Coast Community Centre is known to be a place you can come to get a hand up when times are challenging. 

Behind every free meal, is a regularly sanitised industrial kitchen. Charles Boyton, who runs the Coast Community Centre program advised, this volunteer activity of Shamus’ is not a glamourous role, but Shamus ensures the tough task of cleaning the appliances, range hoods, filters and heavy plastic floormats is accomplished weekly. The Coast Community Centre has proudly enjoyed a continued 5-star rating by Council Health Inspectors and Charles further states this would not be possible without Shamus’s diligent efforts. 

A retired merchant seaman, Shamus has carried his disciplined work ethic into his retirement, dedicating many volunteer hours over the last 20 years to CoastShelter.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Winner: Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes
Nominating Organisation: Marine Rescue NSW Tuggerah Lakes

Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes operates over the 80square KLMs of the Tuggerah lakes systems assisting boaters, recreational users of the waterways and the community including other emergency agencies and police. Marine Rescue Tuggerah Lakes have had to manage rosters during the covid 19 pandemic to ensure that crews were able and ready to respond to any emergency. 

They have had boats and crews operating out of area during the flood crisis, assisting NSW Police in the searches for missing persons, towing and placing the fireworks barge for council events and managing safety oversight for on water events. 

Crews are professionally trained and need to maintain currency of their qualifications on a regular basis. The unit is assisted by support members who regularly assist with maintenance and fund raising at both bases at TheEntrance Nth and Toukley. 

All of their 60 members are volunteers and are forever grateful for the support that the community so willingly gives. The Marine Rescues mission is "saving lives on the water"

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Finalist: Wyong Vinnies
Nominating Organisation: St Vincent de Paul Wyong

The Wyong Vinnies team are adaptable, understanding, non-judgemental and provide the community the care, support and/or assistance in the utmost respectful manner to the Wyong Region Community.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Finalist: Fairhaven Retail Team
Nominating Organisation: Fairhaven Services

Fairhaven's Retail Team consists of an average of 45volunteers without which the Op shopping Village would not be able to operate. This team is the most friendly, enthusiastic and dedicated team of people I have ever had the privilege to work with. They work alongside Supported Employees (employees with disability) and continually provide patient, caring and friendly support to each and every one. Their positive, friendly and helpful attitude has seen us be able to continually grow in our customer base and fundraising efforts to the point where the Fairhaven Op shopping Village brings in near $300,000 each year in gross revenue. This all goes towards helping local Central Coast people, who live with disability, achieve their goals in life.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Finalist: Peninsula Villages
Nominating Organisation: Peninsula Villages Umina

150 words is not enough, the Team personify care, compassion, empathy, enthusiastic, always there.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Finalist: Volunteers and Activity Conveners Team
Nominating Organisation: Ettalong 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre

Conveners set up the Activity and attend meetings learning more about the centre goings on, this keeps members informed. Some members are quite frail, and the conveners and Volunteers assist them when they come to the centre, so they feel included and supported. Members are supported by conveners and kitchen, reception volunteers. Through Covid lockdowns we had eager volunteers waiting to get back to the centre, Staff were supported where needed to make it work for everyone's safety. The kitchen volunteers are preparing healthy meals daily for the members and visitors of the community.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Finalist: Disabled Surfers Volunteers
Nominating Organisation: Disabled Surfers Association INC Central Coast

Without our amazing team of volunteers, those Five women reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking along a muddy track. Only four come out on the other side. The hike through the rugged Giralang Ranges is meant to take the office colleagues out of their air-conditioned comfort zone and encourage teamwork and resilience. At least, that's what the corporate retreat website advertises less enabled would not experience the quintessential Australian pass time of surfing. Their selfless attitude and commitment of our team of volunteers brings a joy and sense of satisfaction to our surfers and a sense of relief to the parents and carers that inclusion is indeed possible. The ability to share the joy that the ocean brings is invaluable to those who have never experienced the immersion and healing the ocean offers. It is truly a wonderful thing to see the sheer joy it brings to our surfers and their carers. From mild autism to fully ventilated quadriplegic, not challenge is too grate. Our volunteers are grateful for the opportunity to serve and bring joy to those less able and their families who often feel the guilt of not being able to provide this experience themselves.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Finalist: WWPN Service Volunteers
Nominating Organisation: Woy Woy Peninsula Neighbourhood Service Inc

The volunteers help the aged community of the Peninsula to stay in their own homes longer to prevent them going into nursing homes. They drive them to medical & medically related appointments, take them shopping on our buses & have hostesses to carry their parcels, do housebound shopping for people who can’t get out, do their washing, take them on social outings &we have an op shop the help people get reasonably priced items & generally support anyone who calls us.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Leonie, Krystal & Kirralee (The Tiger Lily Coordinators)
Nominating Organisation: Happiness Habits INC

The three members of the coordination team, Leonie, Krystal and Kirralee work tirelessly to ensure the ladies in our social support group are supported through social events, assistance with goods and services, connected and cares for through difficult times. 

Each one of them contributes hours of their time each week to make sure the Tiger Lilies operates without a hitch. They make sure birthdays and other important days are celebrated, assist with moving house, clothing, transport and other needs. 

All the volunteers are involved in social interactions that involve not only the women in our group (who are all from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds) but their families as well. They organise family days and women can bring their children. 

Unfortunately, the pandemic has impacted greatly on their ability to have such events as their Christmas party, where Santa would make an appearance. They have adapted beautifully to the pandemic and offer lots of online events to entertain and bring social connectedness. These three women make a wonderful team and work beautifully together for a common cause.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: We Care Connect
Nominating Organisation: We Care Connect

The fabulous We Care volunteer team is now 60+ strong. Each month, they prepare bundles for up to 200 children to provide essentials like clothing, cots, car seats &prams. It's the equivalent of approx. 10 FTEs and each volunteer brings a wonderful sense of passion, care and compassion to everything they do at We Care. We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteer team - and we wouldn't want to!

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Gig Buddies Central Coast
Nominating Organisation: Gig Buddies Central Coast

Volunteers with the Gig Buddies project continue to selflessly give their time, ensuring adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities and/or autism have the opportunity to partake in their passions. 

Gig Buddies ‘volunteers play a vital role in tackling loneliness, increasing confidence and expanding social circles for so many. Whether going to the cinema, horse riding together, watching the footy, attending markets or simply catching up for coffee and a chat - Gig Buddies ‘volunteers continue to demonstrate exemplary dedication, kindness and all-round generosity. 

Without volunteers the Gig Buddies project wouldn’t function. To everyone who has given their time, their contribution has been invaluable.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: RFBI Care 4 U Crew
Nominating Organisation: RFBI

The volunteer team have helped care and support our residents throughout the past year, especially during covid outbreaks and have always put the residents first, limited the socialising they did so as to not bring Covid into the facility. 

The volunteers have been a substitute family for the residents when we had restrictions on visitors. This team have been flexible, supportive and worked as part of a team with each other and with the Lifestyle team and staff at RFBI Lake Haven.

Category: Volunteer Team of the Year 2022
Highly Commended: Breakaway Auxiliary Craft Group
Nominating Organisation: Camp Breakaway Auxiliary

The Auxiliary Craft Group continually raise funds to help enhance the respite  camps for children and adults with disabilities by being out at shopping centres and an open craft shop with handmade items for sale. These made items are jams, pickles, baby wear, kitchen items and much more.

 For more information on the Volunteering Awards, contact Fiona Morrison from Volunteering Central Coast on 4329 7122 or via email at eo@volcc.org.au 

Volunteering Central Coast is an innovative not for profit organisation with a mission to enable community engagement, inclusion and growth through quality volunteering. We champion volunteering and are continuously building our capability to support Central Coast community sector organisations to grow their service capacity.