It’s time to shine a light on the tireless efforts of NSW’s army of dedicated volunteers, with nominations open for the 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
The formal opening of nominations marks the start of 2022 National Volunteer Week in NSW, with organisations, colleagues, families, and friends urged to show their appreciation by nominating their local volunteers for the awards.
NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services, Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards highlighted the exceptional service of all volunteers across NSW.
“Volunteers have given so much to their communities over the past 12 months, without asking for anything in return,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said
“I would like to thank volunteers across the state for their selfless work. By nominating a volunteer for an award you’re helping to celebrate their incredible efforts.”
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are an annual program run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in every corner of the state.
Nominations can be made across eight separate categories, with recipients recognised at one of 25 regional ceremonies, culminating in the announcement of the NSW Volunteer of the Year in December.
Around 120,000 volunteers from hundreds of community-based organisations were recognised as part of last year’s awards, making it one the biggest celebrations of volunteering across the country
The Centre for Volunteering CEO, Gemma Rygate said the awards were a way to thank, recognize and celebrate the efforts of the state’s four million volunteers.
“Over recent years, volunteers have stood tall in the face of drought, bushfires and COVID,” Ms Rygate said.
“And more recently, they again responded by helping their neighbours, friends and strangers during the devasting floods in northern NSW.”
“It’s National Volunteer Week and so there’s no better time to say thank you to people who give their time to make their communities stronger right across NSW.”
The categories for the 16th NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are:
| Young Volunteer of the Year | Employee Volunteer of the Year |
| Adult Volunteer of the Year | Volunteer Leader of the Year |
| Senior Volunteer of the Year | NSW Club Volunteer of the Year |
| Volunteer Team of the Year | Not for Profit Voluntary Governance Award |
The 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are supported by principal partners the NSW Government and ClubsNSW, which represents the state’s 1,200 not-for-profit clubs.
ClubsNSW CEO, Josh Landis said the awards continue to shine a spotlight on the valuable contribution that volunteers make to communities right across NSW.
“Each year we uncover so many inspirational stories of volunteers going above and beyond to support their local communities,” Mr Landis said.
“Clubs wouldn’t be able to do all the wonderful things they do without volunteers, and I’m thrilled to have a special NSW Club Volunteer of the Year category to acknowledge their efforts.”
Nominations are open until Friday 17 June 2022 at www.volunteering.com.au/volunteer-awards
