Some of our communitys top volunteers were recognised at a special presentation held by Federal Member for Chifley Ed Husic in Mount Druitt last week.
Mr Husic said the time and effort that our areas volunteers dedicate to making our community better is often overlooked due to the nature of our busy lifestyles.
It takes a special kind of person to actually put up their hand and help their community often in the absence of thanks or reward, said Mr Husic.
We dont stop to think about how things get done, we dont notice the long hours and the hard work we just tend to take the finished product for granted.
These awards are a small way of recognising and thanking our areas terrific volunteers.
Mr Husic congratulated major category award winners:
Outstanding Volunteer of the YearLindsay Trevitt was nominated by Midnight Basketball Mt Druitt. He helps organise meals for the tournament which are made at the Lethbridge Park Community Kitchen. Lindsay transports the meals to the tournament where he reheats and serves dinner to up to 100 participants at a time. Lindsay still finds time to play an active role with Mt Druitt Rotary, where he has been a member for over 37 years.
Young Volunteer of the YearCarniel Dunlop was nominated by Street University at Ted Noffs Foundation where he holds workshops for local youth centred around creative writing. He acts as a mentor for school groups from Plumpton, St Agnes, Chifley and Loyola High Schools and is described as a fundraising champion. Carniel has juggled his volunteer work over for the past 3 years while undertaking his studies at Loyola Senior High, where he participates in other school-based activities.
Special Award RecipientThe late Brian French was nominated by the Prospect Heritage Trust where he was a member for 16 years. He held the office of President for 10 years and Vice President for 4 years. Brian sadly passed away on 3 November. Described by his nominators as leaving behind a legacy of selfless commitment to and passion for our community through his work with the Prospect Heritage Trust and many other local community groups.
Judges Recognition Award RecipientSteven Wright was nominated by Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation who described him as an accidental counsellor, human suggestion box, recovery philosopher and a calming face for those needing help. Having recovered from his own past battles, Steven now proudly chairs the local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and gives time to mentor many recovering from substance addiction.
MP Recognition Award RecipientRon Bright was nominated by Midnight Basketball Mt Druitt where he has been described as instrumental to the programs success over the past 3 years. He is known within the organisation as the go to guy for everything where his leadership recently led Midnight Basketball to being nominated for the NSW Youth Action Awards Partnership Project of the Year.
Mr Husic acknowledged that determining the major category winners was an enormously difficult task for the judges and wanted to ensure that all nominees were recognised for their selfless commitment to improving our community.
Everything our volunteers do to improve the lives of those around us, to make our community better makes me incredibly proud to be their representative in our Parliament, but even prouder to call them my neighbours,
They truly are the heart and soul of our community.