National Volunteer Week (18-24 May) is celebrating the millions of Australians who help create welcoming and inclusive sporting communities across the country - just like 2025 ASC Sport Volunteer of the Year, Veronica Treloar.
Through her work with the Starfish Nippers program at Williamstown Swimming & Life Saving Club in Melbourne, Treloar has spent almost a decade helping children and athletes with disabilities build confidence, learn lifesaving skills and feel connected to their local community.
Since becoming coordinator in 2016, Treloar has overseen the growth of the program while helping foster a culture of belonging throughout the club, leading mentoring programs and disability training.
Hers is one of more than 700 inspirational stories you can explore on the ASC's National Volunteer Map, opens in a new tab.
"I love volunteering and bringing people together. It provides people with an opportunity to feel valued for their skills and make meaningful contributions," she said. "Volunteering has added real value for me in terms of promoting inclusion for people with a disability whilst also making their families become more connected to the wider lifesaving community."
"And through the Starfish Program, we're directly helping our members learn critical lifesaving skills to stay safe at the beach."
So successful has Treloar's leadership been that she has grown participation to the point where each session runs with a 1:1 volunteer-to-participant ratio.
In 2024, Treloar joined Life Saving Victoria's Adaptive Sport Working Group, helping introduce adaptive events into major lifesaving carnivals, giving 23 athletes with disabilities the chance to compete for the first time.
But it's not just competition - it's about fostering a sense of belonging and genuine inclusion.
"Volunteers help build critical community connections among members," Treloar said. "In my case, it's been vital to create connection for people with a disability. Our program gives them an active opportunity to be included in their lifesaving community."
During this National Volunteer Week, Treloar is encouraging more Australians to experience the benefits of volunteering and community connection.
"Your strengths and contribution can bring purpose and connection to a community group that you may never have thought about before," Veronica said. "My message to everyone is: come and try it. Work out what will work for you and where you can fit in. There will be a place for you."
"And for the club, the benefits are enormous. It has provided education, knowledge and learnings for all. It's made us a more inclusive community."
The Australian Sports Commission thanks every volunteer helping create safe and welcoming places for Australians to connect through sport and urges everyone to upload their stories to the National Volunteer Map, opens in a new tab.
