The winners of the 2021 City of Ryde Volunteer Recognition Awards were announced at a special ceremony at Curzon Hall in Marsfield last night.
Helena Malinowska was announced as the winner of the 2021 Individual Volunteer of the Year award for the countless number of hours she dedicates to helping a range of local community charities and organisations.
Ms Malinowska has volunteer ed for the EveryBODY Dance Now All Abilities Disco since it commenced four years ago, and also volunteers for Royal Rehab, in which she attends a weekly choir for people with disabilities. She also volunteers for the SES Elite Rescue Team and recently completed the Save the Tarkine ultra marathon in Tasmania to support the Bob Brown Foundation's campaign to protect the Tarkine Rainforest.
Cate Turner was awarded a Special Commendation award for her volunteer work with wildlife rescue organisation WIRES.
In her role as coordinator for the WIRES North Shore Branch, Ms Turner is on -call 24 hours a day, seven days week, often taking responsibility to personally care for injured wildlife and house them i n her own home as they recuperate.
Sarthak Vashist received the 2021 Young Volunteer of the Year award for his work with Royal Rehab. Mr Vashist volunteers for the Royal Rehab Walk ing Group. When this had to temporarily cease due to the COVID -19 pandemic, Mr Vashist continued to volunteer by phoning an isolated resident and having a 30 - minute chat with him twice a week.
Lachlan Stevens was awarded a Young Special Commendation Award fo r his work as Program Director for local radio station 2RRR.
The Eastwood Girl Guide Leaders were named the 2021 Group Volunteer of the Year. Each of the leaders contribute a number of hours of their time each week to attend weekly activities, providing t he girls that participate with new skills and abilities.
The Korean Community of Commerce in the City of Ryde received a Group Special Commendation Award for its work to support small Korean businesses in Eastwood and surrounding areas, particularly durin g the COVID -19 pandemic.
City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, congratulated all the award recipients as well as all of the nominees for the 2021 Volunteer Recognition Awards.
"Our volunteers are the backbone of our community, so it is appropriate that we recognise their fantastic contributions," Clr Laxale said.
"Each of the nominees for this year's awards have demonstrated extreme generosity to help those in our community, whether it is assisting people recover from the serious impact s of the COVID -19 pandemic.
giving up countless hours of their own time to help a local community group, lending a helping hand to those less fortunate or simply being there to chat to someone when they need it the most," Clr Laxale said.
