2018 Showcase - Volunteer.vic
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2018 Showcase
Contents
Message from the Governor i
Message from the Premier ii
Introduction1
Volunteer of the Year 2
Leadership3
Impact6
Service9
Teamwork14
Highly Commended 15
2
Message from the Governor
Message on the occasion of the presentation of the
2018 Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards
The Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards give us the opportunity to thank some
outstanding representatives of the more than 1.5 million Victorians who regularly volunteer
their talent and their time to help improve the lives of those around them.
We know that our State’s volunteers act without expectation of praise or recognition,
but we need to recognise them. They deserve it. But it also helps to make us all feel stronger,
when we shine a light on their generosity of spirit.
On behalf of all Victorians, I would like to congratulate each of the 2018 Awards nominees.
Individually and collectively, you help make Victoria a more cohesive, harmonious and
supportive place to live.
The Honourable Linda Dessau AC
Governor of Victoria
i
Message from the Premier Across Victoria, volunteers from all walks of life give their time and skills to help improve the lives of others and their communities, and I am always inspired by their generosity of spirit and commitment. Volunteers enrich our communities in many different ways. From supporting people experiencing vulnerability, protecting our environment, culture and heritage, or promoting healthy communities - volunteers help make Victoria a fairer and more inclusive place to live. These Awards recognise the vital role that our volunteers play in creating happier, healthier and well-connected communities, and celebrate all the people who commit themselves to a cause or organisation and the incredible impact they achieve. I congratulate each of this year’s nominees, and thank all of Victoria’s volunteers for their passion, dedication and commitment. The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP MP Premier of Victoria ii 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards
Introduction
The Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary
contributions of all volunteers in Victoria.
Across all ages and from all walks of life, volunteers provide a wide range of services, activities and
support to Victorian people, communities and causes.
Volunteers respond to emergencies. They work with the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, reducing
social isolation and improving health and wellbeing. Volunteers teach, mentor and inspire, or
represent their communities. They run clubs, groups and events, they fundraise and advocate.
Most significantly, volunteers sacrifice their own time and resources. They are the heart and soul
of Victoria and our community is stronger for their time, care, and commitment.
In 2018, 40 award winners (including 54 volunteers) across four categories have been selected.
These awardees come from across Victoria, and from a wide range of volunteering roles.
The Premier’s Volunteer of the Year, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award has been selected from
all Award recipients.
1Premier’s Volunteer of the Year,
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award
Sue Lopez Atkinson
Early years education
Impact
A powerhouse of energy, intellect and wisdom,
Sue is a proud Yorta Yorta woman and early
childhood educator who, working with her
community, has collectively put culturally
relevant education into policy and practice.
Sue has spent years supporting, teaching,
explaining, sharing, laughing and encouraging,
to achieve respect and justice for her people.
2 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions AwardsLeadership
Bartlomiej Kolodziejczyk Deidre Bidmade
Scientists in Residence Ltd. Warrnambool and District Community
Hospice Inc.
Bartlomiej’s extraordinary leadership has
enabled him to create two successful not-for- Deidre’s passion to improve end of life
profit organisations that open up students to care in the Warrnambool community led
STEM opportunities and have so far provided to the development of the Hospice in the
more than 100 related internships. Bartlomiej is Home program. Thanks to her unwavering
a true connector, partnering with government commitment, families caring for a dying relative
and industry to deliver events like Melbourne at home can now be helped in this difficult time
Knowledge Week. His international professional by volunteers trained through the program.
experience and educational background helps Deidre’s devotion to helping families manage
him overcome any challenge. such difficult experiences is an inspiration to all
who meet her.
Elvis Martin Franco Scalzo
Melbourne City Mission, R U OK Day, Manningham Inclusive Community Housing
Council of Homeless Persons, National and Doncaster All Abilities Basketball
Youth Commission
Indispensable to so many community activities
An empowering voice for young people with over 20 years, Franco’s volunteer work has
disadvantaged lives, Elvis draws on personal focused on bringing groups together to create
experience to help parents accept their appropriate housing for people with disabilities,
children as part of the LGBTIQ+ community. His as well as engaging people in the Doncaster All
advocacy knows no bounds on issues including Abilities Basketball competition. His calmness,
mental health, domestic violence, homelessness strong work ethic and integrity has brought
and suicide prevention. Humble and inspiring, enjoyment and social justice to hundreds of
Elvis has a rare ability to make people feel people with a disability.
great about themselves.
3Leadership
Irene Kelly Nicki Gobbo
Knox City Council and Knox Environment Brighton Playroom Inc.
Society
The volunteer-run Brighton Playroom is thriving
Thanks to Irene’s dedication and drive, and thanks to Nicki’s skilled and selfless leadership.
supported by a team of Gardens for Wildlife Since saving the not-for-profit centre from
volunteers, almost 800 households in Knox have closure three years ago, Nicki has introduced
now planted indigenous species to encourage transformational changes – from strengthening
local wildlife. The program Irene created with child safety policies to finding ways to help
Knox City Council 12 years ago is such a success disadvantaged families. Practical and passionate,
it is now replicated by other councils in the Nicki has created a true community hub for
eastern suburbs. Irene has worked tirelessly successive generations of children and families.
to achieve this vision and continues to inspire
many others to join her journey.
Kevin O’Callaghan Nika Suwarsih
Craigieburn War Memorial and Indonesian Women’s Friendship Network
Remembrance Committee, State
For more than 10 years Nika has helped many
Emergency Service and Community
migrant mothers and their children feel at
Emergency Response Team
home in Australia through her diligent and
Volunteering for over 40 years, Kevin’s list creative work with multicultural women’s
of ‘firsts’ include leading the development programs in south-eastern Melbourne.
of Victoria’s initial Community Emergency Educated in everything from hospitality
Response Team in Craigieburn; initiating a to psychology and yoga, Nika’s outgoing
local ANZAC Day service that now attracts character and remarkable ability to organise
over 3,000 people. Kevin has served as a State and engage have generated life-changing
Emergency Service (SES) controller and lead opportunities for hundreds of women and
the formation of Victoria’s first SES Museum. their families.
Kind and collaborative, Kevin is an inspirational
mentor for many local community groups.
4 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions AwardsShillar Sibanda
Africa Day Australia Inc.
Shillar’s capacity to relate to people from
all walks of life and backgrounds makes her
immensely effective in helping address social
issues faced by African Australian communities,
and build and celebrate their many successes.
Shillar’s work is as diverse as supporting health
activities through to creating an annual Gala
Dinner. Visionary and strategic, Shillar’s passion
is community, and it shows in all she does.
5Impact
Alana Baldi Chelsey Reindel
Special Olympics Victoria, Cricket Bonbeach Life Saving Club
Australia, Cricket Shepparton,
Chelsey’s passion for lifesaving and
Cricket Victoria
volunteering motivates her to complete over
Alana puts boundless energy into creating 80 hours patrolling each season, coach a
opportunities for people with a disability to nippers group, and contribute to multicultural
play sport and participate in the community in programs at the club which actively engage
Shepparton and beyond, across many sports, young women from migrant communities.
but especially in cricket. Alana shares her Chelsey always has a smile and is the first to
sporting and mentoring skills as coach and make everyone laugh.
carer, event organiser and committee member,
and has supported athletes with a disability for
Special Olympics Victoria and Cricket Australia.
Beverley Kliger Julie Toner
Women’s Property Initiatives Bowel Cancer Australia
As a founder of Women’s Property Initiatives Julie’s resolve to help people with cancer
21 years ago, Beverley is driven to provide is driven by personal experience and a
permanent, affordable housing for women and determination to make everyone’s life as
children facing homelessness. She selflessly positive as possible. She gives her all whether
gives her time and talents to innovate and it is as a team captain in Relay for Life or
collaborate with developers, philanthropists coordinating fundraisers for Bowel Cancer
and government. A highly active board member, Australia. A born motivator, Julie has inspired
Beverley’s energy, ideas and strategic input are an army of supporters through her own
perpetually inspiring. willingness to be there for people in need.
6 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions AwardsKim Bolton Peter Johnstone
Anglicare Victoria Yooralla
Kim’s selfless dedication is as strong today as Peter has been an enduring contributor to
when she started as a foster carer 28 years ago. Yooralla, from participating in the 1970’s
Most recently, Kim cancelled her Christmas Day telethon as a child, to his valued strategic
plans to take on a newborn with drug addiction, contributions today as part of Yooralla’s
taking care of everything, even collecting the Community Partnerships Committee. Whether
baby from hospital herself. Kim’s compassion he is bringing the customer’s voice into the
and understanding has given generations of organisation, helping encourage worker
children the start in life they deserve. recruitment, or speaking candidly in public
about his experiences, the community is a
more inclusive place because of Peter’s passion
and humanity.
Melissa Ferguson Sheelagh Purdon
Gippsland Farmer Relief Inc Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Melissa founded Gippsland Farmer Relief Inc Sheelagh’s contagious energy and enthusiasm
two years ago to collect food donations in has helped recruit and develop volunteer
her home and distribute them to farmers in teams during a decade of work at the Asylum
need. Now her efforts have inspired a whole Seeker Resource Centre. She pioneered
community. With a warehouse and office in initiatives including a flagship employment
Traralgon and teams of volunteers helping with program commended by Oxford University for
deliveries, donations and counselling, Melissa its innovation, leadership and human-centred
is spreading hope to farmers and families design. A rare gem, Sheelagh adds incalculable
throughout the region. value for people seeking asylum.
7Impact Yong Wong EdConnect Australia For seven years Yong has been indispensable to the Glenroy Secondary College maths program. A retired teacher, he dedicates up to five hours every day to patiently help students build skills and confidence in maths. This quiet and modest volunteer has opened the minds of students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and been the catalyst for many to pursue maths in VCE and beyond. 8 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards
Service
Alison Gribble Christine Morrison
Office of the Public Advocate St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria)
In 27 years as a community guardian for the Christine began serving the Victorian
Office of the Public Advocate, Alison has helped community when she joined St John at
with many complex cases on behalf of people just 10 years of age. She is now a senior
who are no longer able to make decisions for leader, opening young people to the value
themselves, often elderly people with dementia. of involvement in first aid and volunteerism.
Alison’s role is highly challenging, and requires Christine’s contribution to the St John Youth
a great deal of care and sensitivity at a difficult program has enabled hundreds of young
point in a family’s life. people to learn life-saving first aid skills and
realise their leadership potential.
Brooke Hannaford Edna Edge
Mordialloc-Braeside Junior Football Club genU Karingal St Laurence
Thanks significantly to Brooke’s volunteering, Edna has made an outstanding contribution
Mordialloc-Braeside is one of the largest to the lives of frail older people at Costa Aged
junior sporting clubs in the City of Kingston Care in Lara for 30 years. Edna has devoted
and the South Metro Junior Football League. four hours a day, almost every day of the year,
She works tirelessly to provide children with a working in the kiosk and tea trolley service,
fun, safe and rewarding sporting experience. providing residents with the dignity and joy of
Brooke inspires everyone to do their best, and purchasing their own small gifts and treats.
constantly strives to improve the club and
connect it with the community.
9Service Elva Lovett Frank Wright Northeast Health Wangaratta City of Whitehorse Elva has volunteered for more than 30 years Known for his ‘heart of gold’, Frank has enriched at Northeast Health Wangaratta. Ten years the lives of many people, particularly the frail ago, Elva was asked to lead the newly created and elderly, by delivering them Meals on Wheels Emergency Department Liaison Volunteer and assisting at the drop in dining room in the team. Elva developed it into the essential role it City Of Whitehorse. For four days a week for 16 has today, providing patients and families with years, Frank has provided practical assistance support and practical assistance. Elva is known and a sense of connection for people across his for her compassion and insight into how best to community. help people during a challenging time. Ernie Green Heather Hanratty Office of the Public Advocate City of Greater Dandenong Over the last 11 years Ernie has helped For 15 years Heather has been entirely hundreds of people with a cognitive disability committed to her role as a volunteer with the in police interviews and prison hearings, Food Services and Planned Activity Programs, supporting them in what can be very providing elderly and disabled clients with care, intimidating environments. Ernie has never attention, and respect. Heather’s sincerity and refused a request to assist, and provides real compassion with clients in the Memory Support comfort and assurance to everyone he helps in Group ensures that everyone feels cared for this complex and challenging role. and valued. 10 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards
Ian Cunliffe John Blackstock
Carlton Housing Estates Residents St Mary’s House of Welcome
Services, Carlton Legal Service, Estate
Whether he is in the kitchen or collecting food
Computers
donations, John is a hardworking member of the
After a significant career as a solicitor and senior team at St Mary’s House of Welcome in Clifton Hill.
public servant, Ian now uses his considerable Clients and staff love his calm energy and ability
experience to provide free legal advice and to take everything in his stride. In particular,
representation for public housing residents. John takes older homeless men and refugees
For more than eight years, he has helped on fishing trips, building social connections and
hundreds of people including new migrants emotional support.
(many who have English as a second or third
language), deal with the complex Australian
legal system.
Jason Moore Mehak Sheikh
Craigieburn Basketball, Craigieburn Relay Brimbank and Wyndham communities
for Life and 3064 Sporting Groups
Mehak began volunteering at a young age
An ultimate all rounder, Jason’s boundless across a wide range of organisations for the
enthusiasm and leadership are invaluable benefit of many in the community. Her work
to basketball in Craigieburn. To date he extends from initiatives for children, the
has helped encourage more than 220,000 community and education to legal advocacy,
local people into the sport. After decades of human rights, and multicultural and migrant
volunteer service, Jason continues to help kids support. Mehak is passionate about creating
get active and also raises money for the fight social and cultural change, and committed to
against cancer through Craigieburn Relay building bridges for isolated groups of people.
for Life.
11Service
Michael Lowther Ronald Fitch
Golden Square Football Netball Club Victoria State Emergency Service
Michael has given 50 years of service to the Hardworking and community minded, Ron
Golden Square Football Netball Club and still has served as Unit Controller of the Chelsea
finds time for many other local initiatives, State Emergency Service Unit for 24 years. His
including more than a decade as a presenter on dedication helped his unit receive Divisional
Fresh FM 101.5 community radio and ten years Commendations from Victoria Police, for
with Bendigo Northern District Community outstanding local contributions. Ron’s efforts
Enterprise. Michael is also recognised for his have included leading local activities to raise
outstanding contribution to Bendigo Heritage awareness and mitigation of flooding risk, and
Attractions (Tramways Division) since 1972. supporting the broader Victorian community
during Black Saturday fires and Mildura floods.
Nancy Winder Steve Boothroyd
Probus, Lions, Girl Guides, Salvation Army Friends of Point Richards Flora and
and Caritas Fauna Reserve
Nancy has spent more than 65 years Steve’s dedication to nature is unsurpassed.
volunteering for an array of organisations His encyclopaedic knowledge of flora and
including Probus and Lions. She was a Girl fauna has guided and inspired the Friends
Guide Leader for 15 years and a member of of Point Richards Flora and Fauna Reserve in
Caritas for 40 years, and knitted beanies for Portarlington for almost 20 years. Steve is also
premature and stillborn babies for 13 years. president of the Bellarine Catchment Network
Nancy has put others first throughout her life and has built longstanding relationships with
and continues to do so today. naturalist groups who are vital to the area’s
ecology.
12 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions AwardsTheresa Jacobs
Echuca community
Theresa’s long-term commitment to the people
of Echuca, to cancer research and to Echuca
Regional Health oncology, is inspirational. Her
lifetime of volunteering includes 16 years at St
Vincent de Paul selling donated goods, and as
President of the welfare section of St Vincent
de Paul Conference, she works every week with
local families in need.
Tom Fitz Gibbon
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
As a dedicated volunteer for the National
Trust over 29 years, Tom’s passion is the social
history of Rippon Lea mansion. Thanks to him,
thousands of visitors have been enriched by the
stories of the families who lived on the estate.
Tom’s dedication has helped keep a magnificent
part of Melbourne’s history alive.
13Teamwork
Dyslexia Victoria Support (DVS) Admin Team Interchange Meals Team
Carolyn Merritt, Heidi Gregory, Ben Hanewald, Briony Pedelty,
Sarah Asome Chelsea Matheson, Dominique Ressom,
Josh Hardstaff, Kaisha Ottobre,
Described as the ‘heart and soul’ of Victoria’s
Sarah Wyatt, Terry Markoulakis
Dyslexic Community, the DVS Administration
Team work around the clock to give online Thanks to the initiative and cooperation of
support and advice to thousands of people on this group of eight young volunteers with a
screening, assessments, assistive technologies, disability, isolated seniors now connect every
and targeted interventions. The team displays week in Yarra Junction over a healthy, freshly-
initiative, courage and open mindedness, and cooked meal. Food aside, the greatest benefits
have developed essential resources, fostered for young and old are lasting intergenerational
local support groups, convened events and friendships, sharing of stories, and the
advocated for people with dyslexia. confidence gained through building community
connections.
Building the Boardwalk in Bunyip State Park
Chris Shattock, David Peake,
Doug Crompton, Jeff Mayes, Jeff McDonell,
Neil Burden
The Bayside Bushwalking Club takes its
sponsorship of the Freeman’s Mill Track in the
Bunyip State Forest very seriously. Over two
years and many working bees, its volunteers
designed, planned and built an extensive
boardwalk with their own hands. More than
600 hours of teamwork and elbow grease, plus
a financial contribution from the club have
made this track available for all walkers to
enjoy throughout the year.
14 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions AwardsHighly Commended
Service Award Gail Knight
Cheryl Linke
Colin Adams Elizabeth Logan
Amy Andrew Christiane Mamotte
Jane Blackie Leslie Mather
Sonya Boloski John Meade
Jeannie Bongers Mary Meade
Tom Budd Jenny McLean
Glenda Burke Rosemary McNamara
Donald Cadwallader Ross McVea
Barry Cann Lee Michod
Timothy Carson Nicole Nelson
Alexander Cole Ruth Nicholls
Thomas Conley Catherine Oddie
Josie Cornish Robert Olifiers
Timothy Court Peter Oram
Chris Crabbe Con Pagonis
Nipuni Dissanayake Lindsay Pritchard
Elaine Duyvestyn Reg Poxon
Jessica Elson Reegan Quick
Sonali Fernando Ariel de Ramos
Lynn Gerdtz Ana Rufatt-Ruiz
Toni Gray Marg Ryan
Jenni Green Said A. Said
Beth Grosser Sam Santoro
Gareth Hanlon Graeme Schober
Alma Hare Rachel Sutton
Patsy Heffernan Jett Trewarn
Arthur Humphreys Joan Walker
Danny Jonas Jeffery Williams
Joan Keating Dennis Whelan
Neil Kerlogue John Wnek
15Highly Commended
Leadership Award Impact Award
Scott Barnes Alice Bayley
Dilnaz Billimoria Carl Baverstock
Andrew Cameron Dianne Benson
Glenn Cooper Trevor Brown
Andrea Cross Tamara Collins
Vedran Drakulic Sarah Croston
David Green David Cudmore
Graeme Green Deborah Henry
Frances Hardy Kevin Lenepveu
Debbie Jans Van Corler Jody Letts
Sunny Saksham Katyal Dianna Linton
Allan King Andrew MacNeill
Leigh Marshall Jacinta Martin
Laurie McQuade Carol McDonald
Elizabeth Mulhall Glenda McIntrye
Gary Murray Deidre Moss
Murray Ray Emily Odorisio
Ben Roarty John Prior
Nathan Rogers Kate Quin
Steve Rosbrook June Rea
Vicki Shuttleworth Bev Rethus
Les Smith Coral Robertson
Shirley Sydenham Mellem Rose
Wida Tausif Laura Rostron
Belinda Trembath Hakki Suleyman
Deepak Vinayak Peter Shallard
Rose Vincent Kerry Stanek
Heather Wall Kaye Speed
Chris Wyatt Debbie Taylor
Christine Thirkell
Craig Warner
Jeffrey Xia
Chi Zheng Zhong
16 2018 Premier’s Volunteer Champions AwardsHighly Commended
Teamwork Awards Hume City Swimming Club
Zlatko Bubalovski; Aruna Colombathantri;
Bayside Bushwalking Club Felicity Hume, Mark Montealegre and
Patricia Clark; Robert Clark, Geoff Trist and Melissa Montealegre
Colin Turner Immunisation Centre Volunteer Assistants
Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Sabrina Bassal; Antoinette Chaia;
Committee Sandra Davidson; Sue Eede; Maria Mastroianni;
John Lynch and Kevin O’Callaghan Rebecca Mullan, Jeannette Quinn and
Susi Tevaseu
Elmore Library Agency volunteer team
Melbourne Rotary - Around the Bay support
Patricia Ash; Kate Canavan; Mary Carter;
Lee Davison; Wendy Detscher; Mary Elsasser; Trevor Nink and James Orchard
Sharon Foxley; Honnie Lonsdale, Mal MacRaild Penguin Study Group
and Marilyn Morrell Mel Carron; Betty Chambers; Lynda Chambers;
Frankston Men’s Shed Volunteers Tony Dornom; Austin McLaughlin; Barb Sharp;
Ian Bannerman; Bruce Barnes; Frank Candelin; Mary Ellen Talmage, Spencer Unthank and
Andrew Cuddihy; John Darke, Garry Farmer; Anne Walter
Rob Keevers; Jack Ruddell, Keith Stephens and That’s The Thing About Fishing
Tony Stroud Erin Duff; Jess Emeny; Mark Emeny; Amy King;
Gulf Station Josh Telford; Luke O’Brien; Peter Sjardeema;
Lesley Barnes; Irene Kearsey; Neil Moir; Ian West, Jon Wolter and Amy Woods
Peter Petherbridge, Mike Ridley and Youth Empowerment Roadshow
Pam Viccars Jack Crawford; Teegan Crawford;
Humans in Geelong Trinity Crawford; Oliver Massey; Izzy Massey;
Althea Abraham; Jacqui Bennett; Charion Christian Meyer, Kaitlyn Schurmann and
Botha; Brandon Dellow; Stephanie Downing; Meah Sharkey
Phil Hines; Rini Lombard; Rosemary Nugent,
Rebecca Picone and Kathy Ryan
17To receive this publication in an accessible format phone 03 9096 7302, using the National Relay Service 13 36 77 if required, or email Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. © State of Victoria, Australia, Department of Health and Human Services September 2018. In this document, ‘Aboriginal’ refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Koori/Koorie’ is retained when part of the title of a report, program or quotation. ISBN 978-1-76069-566-8 (Print) ISBN 978-1-76069-567-5 (pdf/online/MS word) Available at Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards Printed by Waratah Group 706 Lorimer St, Port Melbourne 3207 (139239)
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