People from across the Northern Rivers are being urged to nominate their neighbours, colleagues or family members for the 2018 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards – the largest event celebrating the efforts of volunteering throughout the region. Last year, more than 4,000 nominations were received for the Northern Rivers Regional Award category with two dedicated volunteers and a strong contingent of 30 team members from the Clarence Youth Action Group chosen to represent the area at the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award State Finals. Last Year’s regional winner included:  

• Maclean’s Tania Williams from the Lower Clarence Community Radio; and
• Donna Van Leeuwan from the Bonalbo & District Memorial Hall and Bonalbo RSL

  David Abrahams from Grafton has volunteered in the local community all his life; starting as the secretary of the local rugby league club. He has since volunteered in roles helping the local Jockey Club, Chamber of Commerce, Pony Club, Yamba Surf Life Saving Club, the Clarence Master Swimming Club, the Computer Club and Grafton University of Third Age – just to name a few. He was named the 2014 NSW Volunteer of the Year and was this week honoured at NSW Government House event celebrating a decade of Volunteer Award winners. The Centre for Volunteering’s Chief Executive Officer Gemma Rygate said the annual awards were the State’s way to recognise the outstanding work and achievements of volunteers around the region. “We know that people from regional areas like the Northern Rivers are more likely to generously give their time to help their local communities,” Ms Rygate said. “These Awards are an important way for every person across the area to say thank you. Don’t think twice about nominating a volunteer for an award or a special certificate of recognition.” The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards is an annual program run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in every region across NSW. The Northern Rivers Regional Award ceremony will be held in mid-September at Lismore, with award recipients invited to the State 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award ceremony on November 30.