VOLUNTEERS across the Hunter have been honoured for their contributions at a ceremony today, with Jill Stuart taking out the major award and Sarah Williams named Young Volunteer of the Year.
Hunter Volunteer of the Year
JILL Stuart, from Kahibah, has been awarded Hunter Volunteer of the Year and Hunter Senior Volunteer of the Year at Club Stockton today as part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards 2024.
Her 60 years of volunteer work has "greatly improved access to services for people across the Hunter region who are living with a disability", a Centre for Volunteering statement said.
She helped establish a Cerebral Palsy Alliance branch, creating a family-focused and supportive community system, with the Stuart Centre in Croudace Bay currently supporting more than 350 clients.
Hunter Young Volunteer of the Year
Newcastle's Sarah Williams has been named Hunter Young Volunteer of the Year for campaigning nationally to end sexual violence against women.
A statement from the Centre for Volunteering said the organisation founded by Ms Williams, What Were You Wearing? Australia, was "dedicated to ending sexual violence and supporting sexual assault victims".
"Her volunteer work with the organisation led to compulsory drink spiking awareness training for bar and security staff across NSW and the ACT," the statement said.
"She helped establish sexual assault services at music festivals, and provides awareness and education material to more than 250,000 social media followers and the wider Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities."
Ms Williams launched WWYW in 2021 when she was 20 years old. She was named as 2023 Newcastle Woman of the Year and NSW Volunteer of the Year 2022.
A months-long Newcastle Herald investigation earlier this year uncovered allegations of financial obscurity, risk of re-traumatising volunteers, and claims that Ms Williams as CEO fostered an environment of bullying.
Former volunteers alleged at least hundreds of email signatures were forged for the state government petition demanding mandatory spiking and sexual violence training for security and bar staff.
WWYW declined to answer questions from the Herald at the time, and has denied all the allegations.
Hunter Adult Volunteer of the Year
NEWCASTLE'S Dawn Watt has been awarded the Hunter Adult Volunteer of the Year award for her instrumental work in establishing one of the largest and most respected ice hockey clubs in the country, the Northstars.
She drove the formation of the Newcastle Ice Hockey League, established and coaches the Northstars para-team, and has served as Vice President of Ice Hockey NSW.
Hunter Volunteer Team of the Year
THE CREW of 220 volunteers at Soul Hub have taken out the gong for Hunter Volunteer Team of the Year.
They feed some of the most vulnerable people in the community, including the homeless and marginalised.
A statement from the Centre for Volunteering said Soul Hub cooked up to 900 meals per week, for more than 150 people each day.
"The army of dedicated volunteers help to create welcoming spaces for those who are broken, homeless and facing mental health challenges," the statement said.
'Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities'
THE NSW minister responsible for volunteering, Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison, congratulated all recipients and said volunteers were the lifeblood of communities.
"Thank you for the incredible contributions you make to NSW and your local community," she said.
Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said the awards recognised the "exceptional effort" of volunteers across the Hunter.
"Whether it's in the local sports club, in health care, 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 the region to know that their commitment is recognised and valued."
The Awards are supported by Principal Partners, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW.
Hunter award recipients will be invited to represent their region at a gala in Sydney at the end of the year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced in each category.
