A group of outstanding volunteers from New England and the Northern Inland region will travel to Sydney next month to represent their community at the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
The regional finalists were selected earlier this year as part of the state’s largest recognition program for volunteers, which held 25 local ceremonies across New South Wales.
They’ll join around 300 volunteers from across the state at the awards’ Gala Ceremony in Sydney on Thursday, 4 December, where winners will be announced across seven categories, including the prestigious NSW Volunteer of the Year and the inaugural NSW Emergency Volunteer of the Year.
Chief Executive of The Centre for Volunteering, Gemma Rygate, encouraged communities to show their support for their local representatives.
“Volunteers help make communities stronger, healthier and more resilient. They’re worth their weight in gold and we need to let them know how proud we are of their efforts,” Ms Rygate said.
2025 New England – Northern Inland Finalists
- Young Volunteer of the Year: Caitlin Blanch (Tamworth)
Caitlin is a passionate disability advocate and co-president of We Are Not Alone, a grassroots group amplifying the voices of young people with disability in regional NSW. She also volunteers with youth mental health organisation Orygen. - Adult Volunteer of the Year: Kamala Wheeler (Moree)
Kam has dedicated nearly four decades to the NSW SES, currently serving as Deputy Unit Commander in Moree. She has led major flood recovery efforts and served during Cyclone Alfred, mentoring many young and female volunteers along the way. - Senior Volunteer of the Year: Margaret Lenord (Inverell)
With more than 50 years of service, Margaret has played a vital role in supporting older residents in Inverell through leadership roles with Inverell Community Support and the Inverell Senior Citizens Association, helping sustain services like Meals on Wheels and community transport. - Emergency Volunteer of the Year: Sam Berry (Narrabri)
Sam is Captain of VRA Rescue NSW’s Narrabri Division, where he leads emergency operations, training and volunteer recruitment. Over two decades, he has also served with Fire and Rescue NSW and the RFS. - Volunteer Team of the Year: Ruby Mae’s Wish (Barraba)
Founded by Kim and Nick Peake in memory of their daughter Ruby Mae, the organisation raises funds for children’s hospitals and medical training. Their community-led efforts in Barraba continue to deliver lifesaving equipment and awareness.
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