THEY don’t do it for a thank you, or a pat on the back, but without them the community would come to a standstill.
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Volunteers from all corners of the community were recognised at the New England Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year Awards on Tuesday.
Armidale Basketball Association volunteer Judy Monaghan took home two awards, Adult Volunteer of the Year and the coveted Overall Volunteer of the Year award.
For her, it only takes one person to say thank you to get her back on the court for another year.
“It’s a field that’s close to my heart and it gives so many people from so many walks of life an outlet,” Ms Monaghan said.
“Any activity that people do is amazing.
“I must admit the odd box of chocolates and bottle of wine doesn’t go astray, but I’m a cheap convert.”
Involved in basketball since 1983, Ms Monaghan started playing the game when she was just an eight-year-old in her home town of Narrandera.
“I just loved it,” she said.
“I lived across the road from the park which had two basketball courts.
“I come from a big family so after school we used to head over to the park and practise basketball.”
Moving to Armidale to go to the Old Teacher’s College, she then became involved with the local Basketball Association – and she’s never left.
Helping out with anything from refereeing, training, paperwork and improving the basketball stadium itself are just some of the jobs that come under her volunteer umbrella.
“I came from a big family so there wasn’t much money, it was always a case of doing things as cheap as possible,” Ms Monaghan said.
“That means you don’t pay someone to sweep the floor, you pick up a broom and do it yourself – and get some other people to help out.”
She encourages others to get involved in volunteering.
“It just improves your own personal attributes and it inspires other people to do the same thing,” she said.
“The more people we can get to volunteer the better, and the better the communities are in the long run.”
Young Volunteer of the Year
WHEN it comes to volunteering, age is just a number.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Laura Murray was awarded for her work with the Armidale Regional Youth Council, RSPCA branch and as a Scouts leader.
Involved in the youth council since she was in Year 7, she has always been interested in taking on new challenges.
“Having a voice for young people, quite often Council makes decisions on behalf of young people without consulting them,” she said.
“It gives us an opportunity to let Council know what we really think so that they can make informed choices on policy.
“Also, the afternoon tea’s are pretty good.”
Senior Volunteer of the Year
Senior Volunteer of the Year Kenneth Peter donates his time to help older people in the community learn new skills in the workshop.
“It makes all of my work worthwhile, I hope I can share it with them for a lot longer,” Mr Peter said.
“I’m a joiner by trade and I just enjoy helping them to learn new skills in later life.
“They can just come for a cup of tea if they want to.”
Volunteer Team of the Year
RECOGNISED for their contributions to the community, Armidale’s volunteer award winners were given a well-deserved thank you.
Volunteer Team of the Year went to the Armidale Learner Driver Mentor program.
Operating since late 2016, the program helps disadvantaged youth to build up the 120 hours needed to move on to a provisional licence.
Program coordinator Mikaela Peterson said many of the kids she helps do not have access to a car, or someone to sit with them while they learn.
“Most of my mentors are from a background where they work with other people,” Ms Peterson said.
“I’ve got ex-police officers, ex-ambulance officers, ex-teachers, they come from a background where they’ve dealt with the public before.
“They’re just really good people that know how to relate to kids.”
The program is the brainchild of Armidale Regional Council the University of New England and Jobs Australia.
The people that take part in the pilot program are largely from organisations that help at-risk youth.
BackTrack, Juvenile Justice and PCYC are some of the feeder programs.
Forming relationships with the kids is a large part of what they do, Ms Peterson said.
“You know what, you actually find that a lot of the kids that are coming through the program are so grateful for the opportunity that after a while they do open up to you,” she said.
“They do end up talking to you, some of them are really nervous the first couple of sessions.”
Ms Peterson hopes the Volunteer Team of the Year award might bring some awareness to the program and help expand it in the future beyond 16 to 24 year old drivers.
“It’s coming to the end of the pilot program,” she said.
“We hope to keep it going, we’d actually love to add to the program too, a second car that would be open to all ages.”
Working at Jobs Australia, Ms Peterson said one of the biggest barriers to employment is not having a licence.
“In regional Australia, if you don’t have a licence it can be nearly impossible to get a job,” she said.
“If we can add a second car for anyone who needs that confidence that would be awesome.”
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
