NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards
Volunteers give without expecting anything in return. The Volunteer of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate the vital contribution NSW’s 2.1 million volunteers make towards strengthening communities across the state.
The NSW Government is the founding sponsor of the awards and, since 2007, has been working in partnership with the Centre for Volunteering to promote the importance of volunteering through the awards.
For more information or to nominate an exceptional volunteer, go to NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Congratulations to recipients of the 2016 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards:
Overall Volunteer of the Year
Dr David Digges of Bellevue Hill, Co-founder of the National Dental Foundation providing pro bono dental services to people in need across Australia.
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Ben Matthews of Newport, Newport Surf Life Saving Club. Ben uses his experiences growing up with cerebral palsy to inspire younger generations to perceive disability differently.
Student Volunteer of the Year
Holly Johnson from Albury, Amnesty International, Culcairn House and Jindera Nursing Home. Holly overcame mental health issues to lead causes for Aboriginal educational and LGBTI human rights, and also help out at a local nursing home.
Senior Volunteer of the Year
Sandra McDonald of Long Point, Founder and President of Beautiful Minds, a community-based organisation committed to improving the lives of people with mental health issues.
Volunteer Team of the Year
Women in Prison Advocacy Network Volunteer Mentors (WIPAN) advocating for the well-being and status of women in the criminal justice system pre- and post-release by directly engaging with them.
Excellence in Volunteer Management
Royal Rehab Volunteer Services, Royal Rehab. Inspired by the vision of “magnificence in contribution”, the team sensitively manages placing hundreds of volunteers into complex medical situations.
Corporate Volunteer of the Year (Individual)
Chris Bond from Macquarie Bank, nominated by the Raise Foundation. Chris has recruited more than 100 of his colleagues to volunteer with the Raise Foundation providing life-changing mentoring to at-risk students.
Corporate Volunteer of the Year
The Salesforce Foundation, Sydney which allocates seven days a year to enable all staff to volunteer for a not