Outstanding contribution of volunteers recognised with awards

A CASTLE Hill resident who founded a charity working with the homeless has been named the Hornsby and North West Volunteer of the Year.

Steve Butel at the Castle Hill RSL after winning the Adult Volunteer of the Year award on September 1. Pictures: Justin Sanson

A CASTLE Hill resident who founded a charity working with the homeless has been named the Hornsby and North West Volunteer of the Year.

Steve Butel won both the Adult 2017 Hornsby and Sydney North West Region Volunteer of the Year and the overall award for his work with Western Sydney Homeless Connect.

Mr Butel said he accepted the award on behalf of all the volunteers and organisations who worked with him.

“This is a big surprise for me, but I’m certainly very delighted to receive this award,” Mr Butel said.

The Hornsby and North West Volunteer of the Year Awards were held at the Castle Hill RSL on Friday, September 1, and were one of 20 regional ceremonies held across the state.

The Youth Volunteer of the Year award was given to Rhiannon Williams, of Windsor, for her work with Windsor High School.

Rhiannon Williams said she was “very shocked” to be named the Youth Volunteer of the Year.

Now in Year 12 at the school, Rhiannon started volunteering with its agriculture program when she was in Year 7.

“For me personally, I didn’t really see it as a big deal when I started because it was something I enjoyed doing – I did it for fun,” Rhiannon said.

Over the years, Rhiannon has volunteered for various causes, including raising $5000 through selling raffle tickets to have airconditioners installed at the school.

“There’s airconditioners in every classroom now, so that’s good,” she said.

Rhiannon said she was “very, very shocked” to receive the award.

The Volunteer Team of the Year was given to the Dural Men’s Shed, which started in 2011, and now has 99 members who are involved with community events.

The Dural Men’s Shed also works with young participants from the Whitelion LEAP program and with Warrah, which aims to enrich the lives of people with disability.

The Senior Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Lynette Dunn, of Richmond, for her work with Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands.

Mrs Dunn makes breakfast and lunch for students of a local high school who regularly go without a meal, and also volunteers with the Country Women’s Association of NSW.

The winners will now represent the region at the state finals in December.