National Volunteer Awards recognise local heroes, Crook
Posted on Monday, 5 December 2011
TO CELEBRATE International Day of the Volunteer, The Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook has today announced the local recipients of the National Volunteer Awards 2011.
The National Volunteer Awards 2011 recognise and give thanks to individuals and community groups who dedicate their time and energy to volunteer for their community.
Mr Crook said volunteers were the backbone of many regional communities.
“Volunteers play a vital role in our communities. From the local sporting team to community groups, event organisers, carers, and our emergency services personnel,” Mr Crook said.
“I would like to thank all of the volunteers across regional Western Australia for their commitment to their communities.”
Mr Crook said he received many worthwhile nominations for the National Volunteer Awards 2011.
“It’s so positive to see the work these people are doing in their communities.”
The following O’Connor volunteers and organisations received the National Volunteer Award 2011:
- MPs Volunteer of the Year: Lisa Maree Andre, Esperance.
- Young Volunteer Award: Lonica Collins, Esperance
- Long-term Commitment to Community Service Award (Individual):
Jack Tinetti, Kalgoorlie-Boulder
- Long-term Commitment to Community Service Award (Organisation):
Pelican Opportunity Shop, Bremer Bay
- Innovation in Volunteering (Individual): Heather Nicholson, Albany
- Innovation in Volunteering (Organisation):
Goldfields Aged Pensioners Welfare Association, Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
The award winners will each receive an award pack containing a letter of recognition from Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Member for O’Connor Tony Crook, a certificate of appreciation for their volunteering efforts, and an International Year of the Volunteer commemorative stamp and coin set.
To find out more about how you can volunteer in your community, visit www.volunteeringwa.org.au.
MPs Volunteer of the Year:
LISA MAREE ANDRE
Lisa volunteers for Bay Of Isles Community Outreach, where she assists people with mental health issues. Lisa is also heavily involved in the local sporting community – dedicating her time and energy to the local Badminton, T-Ball, Baseball and Softball clubs.
Young Volunteer Award:
LONICA COLLINS
Lonica has been an active member of the Esperance Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service for the past three years, and has attended a number of incidents including a major structural fire.
Lonica is also Treasurer of the Esperance Fire and Rescue Service, and an assistant coach to the Esperance Fire Brigade Junior running team.
Long-term Commitment to Community Service Award (Individual):
JACK TINETTI
Jack has been an integral part of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community for the past 90 years, and his accomplishments are too numerous to list.
For more than 57 years, Jack has acted in various roles for the Goldfields Aged Pensioners Welfare Association, and he has also served as President of the Senior Citizens Committee, and a member of the Seniors Ministerial Advisory Committee.
In 1986, Jack was the Shire of Boulder Citizen of the Year, and in 1999, he became the Goldfields ambassador for the International Year of Older Persons.
Long-term Commitment to Community Service Award (Organisation):
PELICAN OPPORTUNITY SHOP
In the last two years the Pelican Opportunity Shop has helped to fundraise more than $25,000 for the Bremer Bay community.
Money raised has helped to support many local and outside organisations, including the Bremer Bay Primary Parents and Citizens, Bremer Bay Occasional Day Care Centre, local sporting clubs, the Albany Men’s Refuge, and the Katanning Hospital.
Innovation in Volunteering (Individual):
HEATHER NICHOLSON
Heather has worked at the Lower King Community Kindergarten in Albany for more than five years, and is also the treasurer of the kindergarten. Heather will often volunteer her weekends setting up activities for children and creating library bags, puppets and dress ups for the kindergarten.
Innovation in Volunteering (Organisation):
GOLDFIELDS AGED PENSIONERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION
Since 1954, the Goldfields Aged Pensioners Welfare Association has been lending their support to local pensioners. The Association has been involved with fundraising and the development of the Goldfields Pensioners Lodge. Each winter, the Association raised funds to provide pensioners with firewood, gas and electricity subsidies – and has already distributed more than $30,000 this year.