Western Sydney volunteers honoured at awards ceremony in St Mary’s
Several western Sydney volunteers have been recognised for their community contributions at an awards ceremony in St Mary’s. See the pictures.
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A young Mount Druitt woman and human rights activist has been named the 2024 Outer Western Sydney Young Volunteer of the Year, at an awards ceremony that also recognised a crisis and support volunteer and an emergency services volunteer for their contributions.
University of Technology Sydney honours student and human rights advocate Patricia Tolentino was commended for using her expertise in research to support several human rights organisations, including Yung Prodigy, the SOUL Accelerator Program at UTS and the Australian Red Cross.
She also volunteers at the The Big Lift, a program which encourages university students to join community assistance projects across the state, and works as a campaign support worker at Amnesty International, where she plays an active role in supporting refugees.
Ms Tolentino was given the gong on August 28 at the St Mary’s Band Club.
Other award recipients included Glendenning woman Kittu Randhawa, who won the Outer Western Sydney Adult Volunteer of the Year award for her work at the Indian (sub-continent) Crisis and Support Agency, where she helped people struggling with cultural differences, linguistic challenges, social conditioning, family pressures, and mental health issues.
Kings Langley man Derek Whorlow was named the Outer Western Sydney Senior Volunteer of the Year for his leadership in the Marine Rescue NSW Hawkesbury Unit, NSW Rural Fire Service Kenthurst Brigade, St John Ambulance NSW, Blacktown Scouts, and Probus.
The Foodbank warehouse volunteers team was awarded the Outer Western Sydney Volunteer Team of the Year award for contributing to 4500 workdays in 2023, which was essential in delivering food services across NSW and the ACT.
The Centre for Volunteering chief executive Gemma Rygate said the awards recognised the “exceptional” effort of volunteers across western Sydney.
“Whether it’s in the local sports club, in healthcare, education and cultural centres, legal support or emergency response, volunteers
are essential for the ongoing health and viability of local communities,” she said.
“It’s important for volunteers across western Sydney to know that their commitment is recognised and valued.”
Minister Jodie Harrison, who has responsibility for volunteering, said volunteers were the “lifeblood” of NSW communities.
“Congratulations to the recipients of the Outer Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards,” she said.
“Thank you for the incredible contributions you make to NSW and your local community.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, and the NSW Government is pleased to be partnering with the Centre for Volunteering to recognise volunteers and the valuable role they play in making NSW the best state to live and work in.”
ClubsNSW chief executive Rebecca Riant said the awards were a tribute to the “vital contributions” volunteers made across NSW.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the NSW club industry, and their efforts are crucial in uplifting local communities,” she said.
The winners will represent their region at the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney at the end of the year, when the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced for each category.
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