Community champion Jaqueline Hendrey is Kingston's Citizen of the Year for 2025.
Jaqueline has led the Matt's Place community meals program in Chelsea for 15 years, serving nearly 200,000 meals.
Her leadership has created a welcoming space for those in need as she oversees weekly operations, coordinating, preparing and serving around 200 meals for 100 guests weekly.
She fosters a sense of belonging by embodying compassion, respect, and inclusivity and her dedication extends to managing a team of volunteers, providing support, and ensuring they stay engaged.
She has shown resilience during challenging times like the cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic, adapting the program to meet increased demand and her ability to lead with warmth and kindness while maintaining a high-quality service has turned Matt's Place into a vital community hub.
It's Okay Not to Be Okay was named the Community Group of the Year for their exceptional contributions to mental health advocacy in the community.
They are dedicated to combating mental health stigma, empowering individuals to seek help, and creating a more inclusive society.
Founded on the belief that mental health challenges should not hinder fulfilling lives, It's Okay Not to Be Okay has become an essential resource in Kingston. They offer workshops, resources, and community events to promote mental well-being and resilience.
Their team, consisting of mental health professionals, volunteers, and lived-experience advocates, combines expertise with empathy.
Their efforts were also recently recognised with the 2024 Westfield Southland Everyday Heroes Award, highlighting their invaluable impact.
Mayor Georgina Oxley presented the awards at the Kingston volunteer appreciation event on Wednesday afternoon and said there was an outstanding group of nominees which made selecting the winners a huge challenge.
"We have so many people doing remarkable things in our community and this event, and these awards are just a small way of us being able to show how valued people's efforts and contribution are," Cr Oxley said.
"The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in Kingston and it is one of the main reasons why our city is such a great place to live.
"National Volunteer Week is a great chance to say thank you - to shine a light on the tireless efforts of those who usually prefer to stay behind the scenes.
"This year's theme, Connecting Communities, couldn't be more apt. Volunteering builds bridges. It brings people from different walks of life together and creates bonds that enrich lives and strengthen our social fabric.
"It fosters community engagement, belonging, and meaningful relationships that last well beyond any single project or event.
"To all of you unsung heroes, tireless volunteers, and local legends - a huge thank you on behalf of all our council and community.
