Pambula Rotary Club volunteer Daryl Dobson has been named the 2022 South Coast Volunteer of the Year for his 20 years of support rebuilding and maintaining community assets as well as properties impacted by recent bushfires.
While Bermagui’s Kylie Scott has been awarded 2022 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year for the South Coast region for her dedication and work with the Bermagui Breakers Australian Rules Club since 2014.
The recognition is part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards which are run by The Centre for Volunteering to acknowledge the outstanding effort of volunteers working across all sections of communities throughout the state.
The South Coast award winners for individual and team categories were also announced on Wednesday.
2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recipients for the South Coast region included:
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Kylie Scott from Bermagui
Kylie has been volunteering with the Bermagui Breakers AFL club for more than a dozen years and there’s nothing that she doesn’t turn her hand to so that players and their families can enjoy game day.
She is the Club secretary, treasurer, canteen and merchandise manager. She gives her time from 7am to close on game day and cleans three days a week to support team training.
Senior Volunteer of the Year – Daryl Dobson from Merimbula
The impact of Daryl Dobson’s volunteering can be seen right across the far South Coast region. He is a volunteer veteran of 20 years with the Pambula Rotary Club and has helped to design and build walkways and access points, toilets and amenity blocks and a community hall.
Much of his recent volunteering has centred around supporting people and communities impacted by the recent bushfires. He has helped to install water tanks, septic systems, sheds and toilet facilities at dozens of properties.
Daryl also staffs the local BBQ, organises other fundraising events and maintains the local cemetery.
Volunteer Team of the Year – NSW SES Ulladulla
The 70 volunteers from NSW SES Ulladulla branch have been out on the frontline during storms, bushfires and floods to protect and support the local community. The team has completed more than 1,000 requests for assistance over the past three years, including almost 400 requests this year.
They have helped to repair storm damaged properties, cleared trees and roads and assisted other emergency first responders during major events or times of need.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said volunteers from across the region continue to give so much of their time and energy to help make their local community a better place.
“They help to build healthy, resilient, and inclusive communities by bringing people together and connecting them with services across health, education, and community sectors,” Ms Rygate said.
“Our ceremony today recognises their work and gives us the chance to say thank you for their dedication and service to their communities.”
NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones congratulated the winners.
“Congratulations to today’s award recipients. These awards have shown us that the volunteering spirit remains as strong as ever across our state,” Minister Maclaren-Jones said.
“I am proud of the amazing effort and ongoing commitment that we see each year from the 4.9 million volunteers who selflessly give their time across NSW. Thank you.”
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said from caring for those less fortunate than themselves, to risking their lives to assist others when disaster strikes, it takes a certain type of person to become a volunteer and make a positive difference to society.
“In clubs across NSW, there are more than 30,000 volunteers whose incredible contributions are helping to build and strengthen their local communities,” Mr Landis said
“ClubsNSW is a proud supporter of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards and I congratulate each and every one of you for the life-changing efforts and sacrifices you have made.”
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are in their 16th year and have grown to become one of the largest celebrations of volunteering across Australia.
The awards are supported by principal partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW, which represents the state’s 1,400 not-for-profit clubs.
They are an annual program run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in every region across NSW.
Individuals or teams can be nominated in one of eight award categories.
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
Regional finalists for the awards are announced at 25 local ceremonies throughout NSW and are invited to the Gala State Ceremony for the announcement of the 2022 NSW Volunteer of the Year around International Volunteer Day in December.
Recipients for the NSW Volunteer of the Year are also announced across the eight categories at the Gala State Ceremony.
The NSW Government and ClubsNSW are the principal partners of The Centre for Volunteering for the awards. This year’s regional and state ceremonies are being held from early August to December.
Images: The Centre for Volunteering
