Volunteer Recognition Awards

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  Nominations for the 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards are now closed.

 

2024 Winners

The 2024 Volunteer Recognition awards were held on Thursday 16 May and we are excited to announce our winners.

Individual Volunteer of the Year | Simon Paul McNamara

Simon has an exceptional volunteer CV, especially with the various roles in the NSW State Emergency Service (SES). From Team Leader to his current role as Rescue Officer, this year Simon will celebrate his 30th anniversary at the NSW SES Ryde unit. Simon has won 11 SES awards which includes the NSW Premier's Bushfire Emergency Citation for Contribution and Service to Bushfires from 2019 to 2021 and NSW SES Commissioner's Commendation for Service in 2016. The Plumber is on call 24/7, as he also assists NSW Police, Fire Rescue NSW, Rural Fire service and other emergency teams in Sydney and regional NSW. 

The Ryde resident trains and assesses up to 60 SES volunteers each year and sometimes during natural disasters, Simon is away from his family and business for nearly a week. However, Simon is dedicated to keeping Ryde safe during emergencies so the community can sleep well at night. He educates inspiring young minds with visits from local Scout and Cubs groups. For 29 years, he has volunteered at the Granny Smith Festival and he has been a Marshall for the past 10 years. On Clean Up Australia Day in 2014 and 2016, Simon helped collect 500kg of rubbish from the Parramatta River.

Young Volunteer of the Year | Nune Hovivian

Nune often volunteers up to seven hours each week to the 1st Denistone East (Ararat) Scout Group, which ranges from four to 19-year-old Armenians in the community. The coed group is part of Homenetmen, which is a pan-Armenian diaspora devoted to sport and scouts. Homenentmen has 111 chapters in 25 countries and all of the participants in the Denistone East Group speak Armenian. Last year, there were only four scouts and thanks to Nune’s programs the number has increased to 18. The Australian Catholic University (ACU) History student introduced fun outings like Timezone, Ten-pin Bowling, Laser Tag and Trampoline World. Some of the activities were fully paid by the Armenian community or the scout paid 50%. 

During COVID, the 24-year-old transitioned the Scout Group to online activities and she assisted in creating other Scout programs. When new children join the group, many kids struggle with self-confidence and creating friendships. Nune has provided a great environment for scout-aged children to find and establish friendships and give them a sense of belonging. Although Nune doesn’t have a licence or car, she catches public transport and never misses an activity or meeting. She currently works in retail at Top Ryde Shopping Centre.

Volunteer Group of the Year | Presbyterian Aged Care Social Support Group Volunteers

Over 20 years, a group of about 12 volunteers has dedicated about 18 hours a week each organising social and cultural groups like the Presbyterian Aged Care Chinese South African and Armenian groups. To prevent seniors from becoming isolated and lonely, volunteers organise morning teas, lunches, social outings, digital seminars, craft sessions and exercise classes. The Strength and Balance classes help seniors with weight management, prevent falls and increase upper body strength.

The digital classes provide the group with confidence in an online world, including educating them about scams and how to use the most popular apps for seniors. The volunteers assist seniors who have mobility and technical issues, plus serve food and clean up afterward. The volunteers have a genuine interest in the well-being of seniors, as they get to know them on a personal level and are there to listen. The Support Group reunites seniors who have lost contact over many years, or it allows them to make new friends and enjoy cultural traditions. Some of the volunteers drive a fair distance, a few have English as a second language, and some have their own health issues.

We would like to thank all of the 2024 Nominees for their exceptional contributions within the Ryde Community.

If you know of other unsung heroes within the Ryde community that deserve to be recognised please remember to nominate for the 2025 awards next year.

Photo Gallery

2024 Volunteer Recognition Awards

2024 Nominees