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2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award winners announced

Liz Mullinar AM, Hayden Zammit, the Hon Graham West, Nigel Dearinger, Thea Batterham and Yvonne Tattersall of Timehelp Holroyd at Parliament House

Hunter Valley resident Liz Mullinar AM has been named 2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year for her work to ensure that survivors of child abuse have somewhere to heal.

Liz Mullinar of Quorrobolong, envisaged, founded and funded Mayumarri in the 1990s in the Hunter Valley. Mayumarri is unique in that people can stay at low cost and learn to live, not like a victim and recover in a rural surrounding.

She organised the building of the healing centre, developed the program, facilitates the process and has developed the educational programs for carers and facilitators.

Ms Mullinar was awarded the title by the NSW Minister for Volunteering Graham West in a ceremony at Parliament House on Friday, 4 December 2009 – to mark International Volunteer Day (Dec 5).

Her nominator, Pamela Kilduff describes Ms Mullinar’s efforts as: “She gladly and willingly pursues any avenue to help survivors help themselves to heal. The whole concept and function is innovative and speaking out helps others to acknowledge these victims need to be recognised.”

The Ceremony also announced the following Volunteers of the Year:

Hayden Zammit, a 15-year-old from Broken Hill was named 2009 NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year for his work raising funds for Camp Quality.

Thea Batterham, of Inverell, is the 2009 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year for her contribution raising funds on behalf of Camp Quality and the New England Volunteer Air Transport.

ING Bank employee Nigel Dearinger has been recognised as the 2009 NSW Employee Volunteer of the Year for mobilising an exemplary Ignition Mentoring program which facilitates a meaningful relationship between the employee and a person or group with a disability.

Timehelp Holroyd – a group of 26 retirees from Holroyd was awarded the inaugural 2009 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year for its work assisting local schools programs and mentoring students

Inner West Volunteer of the Year Awards

As part of the NSW Volunteer of the year Awards regional presentations were made in regions throughout NSW with the winners of each category in each region being considered for the State award in their category.

Congratulations to Glynis Brown (Inner West Volunteer of the year) and Margaret McInroy (Inner West Seniors Volunteer of the year)

Glynis Brown

Glynis joined the Red Cross in New York after being displaced from her home due to the events of September 11th.

Returning to her home 5 weeks after this event she found the Red Cross set up in the Lobby, there to help the victims of this tragic day. Glynis asked if she could help and they directed her to the headquarters where she was to undergo training and begin a tireless career helping others.

She worked with the victims for 6 months full-time and only stopped when the operation went into maintenance stage and only qualifies social workers were allowed to remain.

She was always singled out for difficult cases because of her care and compassion. Her soft, considerate sympathetic approach was able to turn around rough and aggressive clients. Glynis would also sometimes sit for four hours at a time consoling a client who would just want someone to talk to.

Returning home to Sydney in 2003 Glynis was eager to continue her volunteering even though she was engaged in full-time work so she immediately joined the Red Cross becoming a Personal Support Volunteer.

In 2005 she was appointed Team leader of the Personal Support Team.

She has also been Team Leader of a team meeting Lebanese evacuees at Sydney Airport, Helping out at the Newcastle floods, Team Leader at the Blacktown Hail disaster and Team Leader – Victims Registration phone room Victorian Bush fires disaster.

Glynis has also helped raise funds for a breast cancer education DVD for School children.

Recently Glynis has been busy trying to save the disbanded Red Cross first aid team in NSW and working as CEO of Catholic Care (the welfare arm of the Catholic Church)

Margaret McInroy

Margaret is actively involved in the promotion and running of 12 local community organisations, as well as consistently volunteering for numerous public events, such as the Paralympics, the Olympics, and New Years Eve Fireworks.

Her dedication to these groups has continued for thirty four years, and for much of that period, her commitment has been almost full-time.

Inner West Volunteer of the Year Award Nominees with Burwood Mayor Cr. John Sidoti and General Manager Mr. Pat Romano