Winners Announced

Our Amy Large Award recipients were announced on 23 May 2019 at the Amy Large Awards Ceremony.  We congratulate all the amazing volunteers who contribute to our community. 

Bronwyn  is a Bundjalung woman and Artist and has volunteered as a senior strategist/curator/mentor/manager at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative for a decade.

Boomalli, a precious cultural asset, is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal Artists from NSW language groups, and is one of the longest surviving Aboriginal owned Artists Co-operatives in Australia.   At a time of crisis for Boomalli, Bronwyn gathered community and government support and kept Boomalli alive. She has written numerous grant applications amounting to over 1 million dollars in funding for the Co-operative.
 
Bronwyn’s work has ensured that NSW Aboriginal Artists continue to have a permanent home in Leichhardt to exhibit, create and tell their stories.

Young Volunteer Awards

Jean Hinchliffe  - Jean is the organiser of the Sydney School Strike for Climate. After rallying Fort St students for the Student Strike, the campaign quickly gained momentum, going on to amass 30,000 students in Sydney. Jean worked tirelessly to give students a platform to show their beliefs on environmental issues.

Through School Strike for Climate, Jean gave students an opportunity to show politicians the youth of Sydney care about our climate and will not stand idly by while the government doesn’t act.

Matthew Raymond - Matthew volunteers at the Exodus Foundation’s free restaurant - Loaves and Fishes. He has shown initiative in dedicating his free time to vulnerable members of our community. He takes on all tasks and is always eager to help in any way.

Thank you Matthew for your generosity, your enthusiasm and your dedication. You are an extraordinary young man and we are all very proud of you.

Adult Volunteer Awards 

Pilar Lorenzo  - Pilar is a passionate and active volunteer with the Ashfield-Leichhardt State Emergency Service. She is highly skilled to undertake her role confidently, effectively and safely.

As an SES Duty Officer, Pilar responds to calls 24 hours a day,
7 days a week. This typically means contacting residents, establishing the nature of the emergency, going on site and calling out teams to respond. This is a very responsible role and most intrusive on personal, family and work time.

Over the 2018 Christmas and New Year period Pilar responded to calls every day, in total over 200 emergency calls from Inner West residents.

Chantelle O'Donohoe  -  Chantelle donates a majority of her free time to volunteering with Australian charities, raising awareness for social issues and injustices.

In 2018 Chantelle volunteered her time with over 19 charities and increased this to 26 charities in 2019. Her charity partnerships and volunteering in 2019 includes; Westmead Children’s Hospital, Share the Dignity, Luke Priddis Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Westmead and Randwick, Starlight Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, White Ribbon Foundation and Homeless feeding services.

Lauren Foy  - Lauren has had a long-term, high-profile engagement with Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby NSW for the best part of a decade.

While success has many parents, Lauren and the Lobby played a major behind-the-scenes role in most NSW reforms of the past decade, and some Federal reforms too. 

Lauren’s achievements are too many to mention but include involvement in;

• the Safe Schools Coalition, 
• the introduction of Federal Anti-Discrimination protections inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and Intersex status.
• removing  the ‘gay panic defence’ from the Crimes Act.
• 2016 - NSW Parliamentary Apology to the 78ers.
• 2017 Key partner in the campaign for marriage equality in Australia.

Certificates of recognition

Liam James  - Liam volunteers more than 30 hours a week as a coach at Balmain Rowing Club and as a Director of Rowing NSW. Liam is a founding member of the Balmain Para Rowing Program and assists with the coaching of disabled rowers at State, National and International level.

In 2016 Liam ran a Blind Sports Rowing program at the International Regatta Centre allowing many visually impaired attendees the joy of trying rowing. He has also taken a role in the rowing community outside the club, being elected as a Director of Rowing NSW in 2014, a position he still holds. He has facilitated regattas including at Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith.

Effie Tzouvaras  - Effie has been a constant support to Ashfield Public School since 2014. Over the years she has been involved with organising every event at the school such as Garden Festivals, Musicals, Father's and Mother's day stalls, Christmas stalls and Harmony Day.

Effie also volunteers as class parent, attends excursions, organises BBQ's at Bunnings and on Election Day. She is actively involved with the P & C and is tireless with her commitment to our school. Whatever assistance the school needs from parents, Effie is always hands on at the forefront encouraging others and planning what resources are required. Effie is an amazing practical strategist with a beautiful heart.

Rachel Ashley - Rachel has been volunteering with The Exodus Foundation for six years. Her knowledge, skills and ideas have made a considerable impact. She is efficient, detail-orientated, hugely competent and never misses a shift.

Rachael’s volunteering doesn’t stop here. Rachael dedicates a great deal her time and energy for several other causes, as well as having two school-aged children who have also volunteered at Exodus Foundation events.

Aside from her vast abilities, Rachael has an excellent rapport with everyone and a great sense of humour, making her an absolute pleasure to work with. Rachel is an asset to The Exodus Foundation and the wider community.

Senior Volunteer Awards

Cheryl Borsak - Cheryl has worked her way through every section as a youth and Leader. Today she is both Group Leader and District Commissioner.

Cheryl stands out from the crowd by the way she treats both children and adults alike with respect. She champions inclusion in all activities by anyone she works with. She is always looking for opportunities for Scouts to be involved in the community.
Cheryl is compassionate and caring. She champions a safe culture, treats all equally and leads by example. Supporting scouting activities and having a direct and positive impact on community by teaching positive values and leadership skills to youth, adults and their families.

Thank you Cheryl for this extraordinary contribution to our community and for being a role model to so many.


Tammy Phuong Tam Tran - Tammy founded the Inner West Vietnamese Language School that runs at Marrickville West Public School on Saturdays. She also runs the language school’s music ensemble involving students and parents. In addition, Tammy volunteers with the Vietnamese Mothers Group and as a Buddhist Scripture teacher at Marrickville West, Ferncourt, Wilkins and Marrickville Public Schools.

Tammy is gentle, yet strong, positive and determined to make a difference. She’d like to see children with Vietnamese cultural heritage grow up belonging in Australia, performing in the local community and being proud of their cultural heritage and all it brings.

Tammy is  a wonderful example and role model to others who wish to raise bilingual and bicultural proud young Australians. Thank you Tammy for this extraordinary contribution.


Certificates of Recognition

Tom Newell  - Tom has volunteered for the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre since 2009. Tom brings a determination, commitment and ability to work as part of a team that makes him standout.

Tom has a respectful, reassuring manner that makes him able to work well with people experiencing stress or hardship. He is the epitome of conscientiousness. His attendance record is outstanding. Tom has a pragmatic “What needs to be done?” focus to his volunteering work, enabling him to pitch in where most needed.

Tom makes an enormous contribution to our community. We are very grateful for this contribution Tom – thank you for your service.

Gabrielle Fuller - Gabi Fuller has been volunteering with Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre for over 3 years. Gabi is pivotal to the success of the centre’s community outreach projects, particularly the Street Library and ‘Pop Up Wardrobe’.

Gabi also assists with ‘Bread on Wednesday’, distributing free bread and promoting the centre’s activities to the community. Gabi also helps with other projects and administration.

Thank you Gabi for this significant and important contribution to the community in Rozelle

Jacquie Stratford - Jacquie has volunteered at 1st Balmain Scouts, since 2002, at the Balmain Amateur Swim Club since 2000 and as an All Abilities Football Buddy since 2015.

Jacquie is inspiring, determined and passionate. She has an incredible capacity for leading through example and a genuine love and respect for children that is reciprocated by many children and families in our community.  Jacquie is a visionary leader and marries that vision with hard work and diligence, with exceptional results. She is an incredibly capable, proactive, compassionate, witty woman who is also humble and grateful.

Jacquie thank you for your incredible contribution as an outstanding role model for the youth of Balmain.

Dominic Case - Dominic joined Climate Change Balmain Rozelle in 2009. For 10 years he has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about Climate Change – its causes and solutions.

Since 2015, Climate Change Balmain Rozelle has run ‘Climate in the Pub’ facilitating informed, informal conversations with involved people. Dominic has organised many high calibre speakers for ‘Climate in the Pub’ and chairs the sessions calmly and impartially. Listening carefully to viewpoints, supporting new ideas and mentoring those who want to take action. The audience has grown steadily to a capacity crowd. 

Dominic has helped countless people make a difference and understand how their actions are important. Climate in the Pub inspires people. It’s a place where local people can connect with others to take action on something that they care about.  People respect Dominic’s kindness, his intelligence, his perseverance and commitment. Thank you Dominic for taking action on this important issue.

Evelyn Umali  - Evelyn volunteers for the Community Refugee Welcome Centre. Evelyn has deep cultural awareness and is keen to teach and learn. She plays the key role in the success of the Friday program at the Centre, developing a welcoming friendly and safe culture for the refugee community that attend.

Evelyn is always there to help, committed and reliable. She builds great relationships with every single refugee at the Centre. Memorising their names, caring about every individual and shaping deep relationships. Evelyn’s welcoming spirit assists the women to feel safe, and develop connections with local community members.

Evelyn's  co-workers describe her as patient, adaptive, creative and flexible. Evelyn you are extraordinary. Thank you for your contribution.

Noula Melidoniotis - Noula volunteers at Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, assisting with the Young Parents Playgroup in Dulwich Hill for 3 ½ years. The playgroup allows young parents and their children to come together in a supportive, safe and non-judgemental space. The playgroup has limited resources and without Noula the playgroup would struggle to continue.

Noula is extremely dedicated and reliable. She is open and adaptable to change. Noula always goes above and beyond. She is very friendly, warm and positive.
Noula, we know that you also volunteer for other organisations. We think you are fantastic. Thank you for the support you give to others.

Norma Robertson - Norma is a vital member of the Friday team at the Exodus Foundation’s Loaves and Fishes restaurant. Norma is welcoming and has a great rapport with all guests, staff and other volunteers. Norma has a wicked sense of humour and a tireless work ethic.

Norma was chosen by Rev Bill Crews to accompany him to a function at parliament house where she explained to everyone her love of volunteering at Exodus. Norma tells the best jokes and keeps everyone focused and happy. Always ready for a chat and with a friendly smile for all, no job is too great for her.

Thank you Norma for your service to vulnerable members of our community. This is important and difficult work and we salute you.

Volunteer Team Awards

Ashfield English Conversation Program -  a Metro Assist and Inner West Council collaboration. The English Conversation volunteers teach English at Ashfield Civic Centre and Pratten Park Bowling Club.   Each volunteer is responsible for a class of English learners. They deliver a two-hour conversation lesson every week. The volunteers develop and source their own teaching materials and are responsible for all aspects of running their class.

The team has a wide range of backgrounds. They do not necessarily have the time to volunteer on paper, but they make the time. The team includes a young international student, doing a Masters degree and internship - yet still finding the time to volunteer. Other team members care for children, parents and grandchildren. Some balance volunteering with work and volunteering for other organisations. Some have been teaching on the program for more than five years. All are extremely dedicated to the program and their students.

Some team members are themselves from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds. They utilize their experience and understanding of the challenges of migration. Despite their own language insecurities and cultural barriers they devote themselves to teaching English to others.

Thank you English Conversation tutors for this important support you provide our community.

Newtopian Outreachers - From 2017 to 2018, the Newtown area saw a dramatic 1300% increase in the rate of homelessness. The Newtopian Outreacher project was set up by Newton Neighbourhood Centre in response to this crisis.
The objective of the project is to build and sustain a stronger, more just community, with trained local volunteers taking-action to address homelessness.

The Newtopian Outreachers are a team of 20 community members who volunteer once a month to engage with people sleeping rough in Newtown and Enmore. Trained in topics such as trauma, mental health, drug & alcohol and police engagement, Outreachers approach people who appear to be homeless, initiate conversation and provide support if needed.

In the first 6-months of the project these Volunteers engaged with 50 rough sleepers over 114 engagements, which led to 22% of rough sleepers being linked with a case manager.

Thank you Newtopian Outreachers for find practical solutions to support the homeless community in the Inner West. This is important and difficult work and we salute you.

Certificates of recognition

Justice of the Peace Desk Team Ashfield  - Ashfield Library has been running a very popular JP desk for many years. It is extremely valued and welcomed by members of the community. Members of the public are guaranteed that a Justice Of The Peace will be available for them during designated times. Members of the public find this an excellent community service. All the JP's work on a roster depending on their availability. They work in teams of two. The team’s contribution is outstanding. 2018 Year Highlights for Ashfield-Burwood Branch include; certifying 62,290 Documents; volunteering on 1,169 occasions; 2,424 desk hours worked; average number of documents per JP = 53 per hour.

WOW! Thank you Ashfield JP desk team!


Inner West Environment Group - 20 years of Volunteering  -  Inner West Environment Group has been conducting bush care working bees across the Inner West for 20 years. Weeding, planting, watering and mulching to regenerate areas of habitat on what was disused railway land overgrown weeds, railway ballast and spoil.

Creating oasis of canopy, shrubs and ground covers and adding to biodiversity in the Inner West. Establishing areas of calm and quiet. Habitat for possums, reptiles, and insects such as butterflies, siders, dragonflies, native bees, praying mantises and stick insects. Providing nesting and feeding areas for birds including larger predator birds such as Kookaburras, Grey Butcher birds, Pied Currawongs and Tawny Frogmouths. And creating a small wetland and frog pond. Thanks to the work of group members, threatened species such as Long Nose Bandicoots and Powerful Owls have been recorded in the Inner West.

Everyone is welcome at working bees, friendship and connections are important. Members have gone onto careers in Environmental Protection and Bush regeneration. Many have been coming to working bees for 20 years and doing gorilla plantings for longer, some since the 1970s.

Thank you Inner West Environment Group for this important work that we all gain so much from.

Ashfield Boys Bush Care  - Every fortnight on a Wednesday the Ashfield Boys Bush care team help regenerate and preserve the Cadigal Reserve.  These young men help regenerate the native flora of the site. Weeding, planting and mulching. 

Last year they had two major projects they were passionate about. Building a pest hotel to encourage bees and other beneficial pests and building two new frog ponds.  The boys take pride in giving back to the community. They see the return of native fauna, like the micro bats, to Cadigan Reserve. Their wish is the site be known as a community friendly space for all to enjoy and learn about the importance of caring for our local habitat.

Thank you Ashfield Boys Bush Care team for your hard work to help look after our environment.

Exodus Friday Senior Lunch Volunteers - The Friday Senior Lunch Group volunteers at the Exodus Foundation’s free ‘Loaves and Fishes’ restaurant. 

This group of volunteers has a combined age of 459 and their contributions to Exodus are long term and significant. Combined, the group has contributed over 3000 hours to the Exodus Foundation!

Team members Sandra and John Vicars have been volunteering for 17 years and 7 months!  Margaret and Brian Ledden for 6 years and 7 months. Norma Robertson for 3 years and Ruth Hirsch for 15 years and 7 months!

The group are dedicated to volunteering, are eager and enthusiastic and are a fantastic support and inspiration to other volunteers on their shift. They know the ropes and the guests and are a fantastic support to new volunteers.  Like all good teams, each of the group has different strengths. Welcoming, knowledgeable, supportive, dedicated are some of the words used to describe the Exodus Friday Senior Lunch Volunteers. They bring humour, support and a friendly smile to what can sometimes be a frenetic work environment.

Thank you Exodus Friday Senior Lunch Group for doing such a fantastic job. People like you make our community strong.