Now is the time to recognise community heroes that have stood tall during drought, bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, with nominations opening for the Centre for Volunteering’s 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the last 12 months has highlighted the pivotal role volunteers play in supporting communities when they need it most.
“Volunteers stood face to face with the most ferocious fires in our state’s history, and are the beating heart of our country towns that continue to battle crippling drought,” Mr Ward said.
“They have been critical to our COVID-19 response across the state, providing practical assistance that’s enabled so many charities to support the most vulnerable members of our community through the pandemic.
“There has never been a more fitting time to recognise the enormous sacrifice our volunteers make, and no better opportunity to say thank you.”
People are being encouraged to nominate their neighbours, colleagues, family members and friends for one of the seven categories:
- Adult Volunteer of the Year
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Senior Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Team of the Year
- Corporate Volunteer of the Year (Individual)
- Corporate Volunteer of the Year (Team)
- Excellence in Volunteer Management
Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said the opening of nominations coincides with the start of National Volunteer Week, and is an ideal time to recognise the more than two million people across the state giving up their time to help others.
“We want this year’s awards to be the biggest yet, and I encourage people to get online and nominate someone who has made a difference to their community,” Ms Rygate said.
“We hope to receive more nominations than ever before and have no doubt that the quality of those nominations will be as strong as ever.”
Last year the Centre for Volunteering recognised more than 120,000 volunteers from about 450 organisations as part of the awards, which are supported by the NSW Government and ClubsNSW.
Nominations close on Friday 3 July 2020. For more information or to nominate a volunteer, visit NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.