Volunteers from the Sydney Inner West region gathered at Burwood on Friday, 4 November 2011 for the 2011 Sydney Inner West Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony co-hosted by The Centre for Volunteering and Volunteer Network Burwood.

Stephen (Niall) King has been named the 2011 Sydney Inner West Volunteer of the Year for his outstanding contribution to the community during a ceremony The annual NSW Volunteer of the Year Award program recognises the efforts and achievements of the State’s millions of volunteers.

Rotarian Niall King is a shining example of one of Rotary’s principles, “Service Above Self ” and is very highly regarded by all who have the privilege to know him.

Niall’s volunteer service to Rotary and to the community goes way beyond and above that which would be expected of a Rotarian. Niall has been a member of the Rotary Club of Strathfield for 18 years. He has been a Board Member of the Rotary initiatives, such as bowel scan. Niall is the man whom everyone turns to when voluntary work is needed, whether it be the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation, MS Society , the Rotary Club of Strathfield or any other charity. Niall never, ever says, “No” to any request.

In 2003 Niall was honoured by being awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Strathfield. In 2007 Niall was again honoured being the recipient of a second Paul Harris Fellowship, recognized by a Sapphire Pin. The Paul Harris Fellowship is “in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.”

Event co-host, Volunteer Network’s Julie Stralow, said that the event was very rewarding. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of local communities and are not recognised as often as they should be for their valuable, selfless commitment,” she said.

Niall will receive a $300 donation towards the not-for-profit organisation of his choice to help it continue its outstanding work.

Other Award winners announced at the ceremony are Mohit Tolani of Strathfield South was named the 2011 Sydney Inner West Youth Volunteer of the Year for his volunteer work with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME). Mohit has been part of AIME as a volunteer mentor as well as involved with the learning and extra-curricular involvement of refugee kids and young adults through the Australian League of Immigration Volunteers. He volunteers as a volunteer leader and a camp facilitator with Edmund Rice Camps NSW. Mohit has also volunteered with The Centre for Volunteering’s Student Community Involvement Program and the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement. In addition he volunteers with the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement (IACE), the Multicultural Youth Network, within Om: The Hindu Society, the Eastern Suburbs Rotaract Club and has held the position of Secretary of SCISOC and the Sydney University Medical Science Society.

The 2011 Sydney Inner West Senior Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Margaret Jones of Birchgrove who volunteers with Redfern Legal Centre for 34 years. Margaret first volunteered at Redfern Legal Centre when the Centre opened in the late 1970s. Over 30 years later Margaret remains a constant presence in the front office. Taking two buses twice a week, the sprightly 83 year old braves all weathers in order to answer client enquiries, arrange appointments and help with whatever other job needs done. Her natural rapport with disadvantaged individuals is a valuable attribute, and her genuine interest in their predicaments make it easier particularly for Aboriginal and immigrant clients to access legal assistance. Always on hand to help out and teach the Centre’s student volunteers, Margaret’s forthright manner and tireless commitment to resolving the varied problems clients are facing makes her an important asset not only for the Centre, but also for the local community. Margaret’s work in helping clients access the legal system is not restricted to Redfern Legal Centre; she also provides her services as a JP at Balmain Local Court, where the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme particularly values her reliable presence.

Touched by Olivia Foundation’s Butterfly Ball Committee was named the 2011 Sydney Inner West Volunteer Team of the Year. The Touched by Olivia Foundation began in 2007 after John and Justine Perkins lost their baby girl, Olivia. They chose to not waste her short life and started the foundation in her honour. Initially, the plan was to hold one charity ball to fund the purchase of a piece of equipment for Sydney Children’s Hospital that would have saved Olivia’s life. That first ball was held less than 6 months after her passing, with 700 people attending- and raised over $200,000. People were moved, and wanted to support the Foundation. Since then, the Touched by Olivia foundation has held 4 more “Butterfly Ball’s” with the funds going to a research fellowship to find better treatment, and possibly a cure for the rare disease that stole Olivia’s Life. Almost $700,000 has gone to the Sydney Children’s hospital. This effort would not be possible without a dedicated team of professionals passionate about the cause, volunteering hundreds of hours and using all their personal relationships to make the Butterfly Ball’s a success.

The outstanding commitment of the following individual was recognised by the judges:

• Ely Akouri of Punchbowl was awarded the 2011 Sydney Inner West Highly Commended Award for his amazing commitment to the Cedars of Lebanon Folkloric Group for 34 years
• Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group was awarded the 2011 Sydney Inner West Highly Commended Volunteer Team of the Year Award
• Strathfield SES After Hours Duty Officers Team was also awarded the 2011 Sydney Inner West Highly Commended Volunteer Team of the Year Award

Other individual volunteers recognised for their outstanding community work were:

• Simon Freke of Surry Hills who volunteers with Dragon Boats NSW Inc
• Joanne Gianotto of Liberty Grove who volunteers with NSW State Emergency Service - Strathfield Unit
• Susanne Heuberger of Balmain who volunteers with Red Cross
• Monica Johnson of BURWOOD who volunteers with Mary MacKillop Outreach
• Duncan Lockard of Newtown who volunteers with The Oaktree Foundation
• Bonnie Milton of Greystanes who volunteers with Holroyd Community Food Services
• Claudia Novati of Burwood who volunteers with Youth Off The Streets
• Elle Olip of Concord who volunteers with Concord Food Services Inc
• Darrin Parkin of Liberty Grove who volunteers with NSW State Emergency Service - Strathfield Unit
• Katharine Savage of Haberfield who volunteers with The Ella Centre
• Keith Swanson of Stanmore who volunteers with Balmain Rowing Club
• Belinda Wong of Burwood who volunteers with Hong Kong Australia Business Association - NSW Chapter

Volunteer Breakfast

Approximately 130 volunteers celebrated International Volunteers Day with a breakfast sponsored by Volunteer Network and Burwood Council at Burwood RSL on Friday 2nd December.

This year we celebrate IYV+10 – ten years since the International Year of Volunteers saw volunteers acknowledged across the world.

The United National General Assembly designated the 5th December as a day of annual celebration of all that is achieved by volunteering in the community around the world.

Both the Cr John Faker Mayor of Burwood and Clr Angelo Tsirekas Mayor of Canada Bay Council; John Sidoti MP Member for Drummoyne and Guest Speaker Rev Bill Crews from the Exodus Foundation addressed the volunteers and thanked them for their contribution to the community.

International Volunteers Day acknowledges volunteers of every kind, everywhere, during the coming week communities around the world will be celebrating, recognising and reflecting on the impact that volunteering has had on our lives.

People who volunteer come from all walks of life, are of different ages, are of many races and cultures, they have a vast array of skills knowledge and experience which they share for the benefit of others.

In Australia the number of people who participate in community life is growing all the time. There are approximately 1.67 million volunteers in NSW alone with 235 million hours of voluntary work are contributed in NSW on an annual basis. Conservative estimates have placed the value of this contribution at $2.4 billion to the NSW economy.