Contents
Message from the Governor 2
Message from the Premier 3
Introduction 4
2015 Award Recipients 5
Highly Commended Nominees 10
Nominees by Award category 11
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Message from the Governor
Message on the occasion of the presentation of the 2015 Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards
The 2015 Volunteer Champions Awards celebrate the extraordinary contribution of 51 outstanding Victorians. It is fitting that their presentation is at Government House, built to facilitate the recognition of people and events of significance to our State.
And volunteers certainly are of such significance. Without them, Victoria would not only be all the poorer, it would be unrecognisable. The harmony, opportunity and well-being that we need for ourselves and our families would be less attainable in so many ways.
Fortunately, we live in a society in which volunteerism continues to thrive. Every day, day in and day out, a vast army of people give freely and generously of their time and themselves. They are not all here today. But those who are here to be acknowledged are true champions who contribute so very much to so many. They do so without any expectation of gratitude or recognition.
It makes it a particular pleasure, on behalf of all Victorians, to congratulate and thank each of the 2015 Volunteer Champions and warmly welcome them, their friends and family to Government House.
The Hon. Linda Dessau AM
Governor of Victoria
Message from the Premier
I am always inspired by the broad array of volunteering that takes place in Victoria.
Over 1.5 million incredible Victorians give their time and skills, and make an immeasurable contribution to Victorian people, communities and the environment.
From helping out during emergencies to maintaining community spaces, coaching our kids or caring for vulnerable Victorians – volunteers come from all walks of life and enrich our communities in so many ways.
These Awards recognise the vital role that our volunteers play in creating happier, healthier and well-connected communities, and celebrate all the people who commit themselves to a cause or organisation close to their heart because they believe in creating a better Victoria.
I congratulate each of this year’s nominees, and thank all of Victoria’s volunteers for their passion, dedication and commitment.
The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP
Premier of Victoria
Introduction
The Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards acknowledges and celebrates the extraordinary contributions of volunteers in Victoria.
The Awards highlight the significant number of volunteers throughout the State, and this year, 51 volunteers have been formally recognised for their outstanding achievements.
This Showcase booklet also commemorates all of this year’s nominees. The diversity of their work provides a snapshot of the wider volunteering community.
Across all ages and from all walks of life, volunteers provide a wide range of services, activities and support to the Victorian community. They respond to emergencies. They work with the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, reducing social isolation and improving health and wellbeing. Volunteers teach, mentor and inspire; represent their communities; run clubs, groups and events, or fundraise and support causes.
Most significantly, they sacrifice their own time and resources. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Victorian communities and without them, many community groups and organisations simply would not be able to operate. Their generous gift is appreciated and valued.
2015 Award Recipients
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award
Wayne Etcell, CFA, Bail Justice, Justice of the Peace
Volunteering is a way of life for Wayne Etcell. For the past 42 years, Wayne has made an immeasurable contribution to the community starting with the Chelsea Surf Lifesaving Club at 16, and then the 1st Chelsea Scouts Group.
This early experience set the foundations for a lifelong commitment to voluntary community service which includes being a Justice of the Peace and Country Fire Authority member with the Tyabb Fire Brigade. In recent years Wayne has taken on the role of Honorary Bail Justice delivering a crucial after-hours service over a wide geographical area.
Wayne is highly regarded for his passion, dedication and professionalism. He is known for his strong desire to give back to the community and volunteering provides him with “an immeasurable source of personal satisfaction and enjoyment.”
Wayne embodies all of the characteristics of an exceptional volunteer.
Outstanding Adult Volunteers
Bert Westerman, Araluen Centre
Volunteering at Araluen for the past 6 years, Bert supports people with disabilities to enhance their literacy skills and is integral to the operation of the Men’s Shed program. He is known for his creativity and patience, encouraging everyone to feel good about themselves and their individual achievements. Bert displays enormous commitment and dedication, his personal motto being ‘I get more out of it than I put in’.
Elizabeth ‘Joy’ Ferguson, Diamond Valley Learning Centre
For over three years, Joy has supported disadvantaged students in the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning program at Diamond Valley Learning Centre (DVLC). Known for helping young people develop their skills and self confidence, Joy has been instrumental in forming a consortium of local Rotary clubs to support the DVLC re-engagement program for young people who have left education. In the words of one of her students: ‘Joy is just awesome’.
Graeme Hilson, University of the Third Age Box Hill & Nunawading
Graeme has decades of volunteer service as a Justice of the Peace and volunteer Bail Justice. As computer tutor with the University of the Third Age, Graeme encourages seniors to embrace technology and ‘have a go’ at new classes, despite any physical disabilities. As founder of the Monash Stroke Support Group in 2001, Graeme has demonstrated that life can be meaningful after a stroke. He has advocated for greater recognition and assistance for carers.
Kathryn Harry, Vision Australia
Kate is a dedicated volunteer and ambassador for the Seeing Eye Dog Program. She has cared for 19 seeing eye dog puppies over the last 19 years, and provided individual and group support to clients. An active fundraiser for Vision Australia, Kate is highly regarded for her empathy, passion and commitment to promoting social inclusion.
Kevin Gibson, The Briars, Mornington Peninsula Shire
Kevin volunteers at The Briars, a National Trust homestead, where he plays a vital role in maintaining the building and grounds so that visitors can enjoy the property. He was also key member of the team that built a 5 kilometre feral exclusion fence around the Wildlife Sanctuary. Kevin undertakes all manner of tasks, is a valued mentor to staff and trainees, and is highly respected for his wisdom, inventive approach and ‘can do’ attitude.
Khamko Synaphet, LaoAus Care
Khamko has dedicated 40 years of volunteer service supporting the Lao community in Victoria. A strong advocate in the areas of education, health, wellbeing and ageing, Khamko is a great role model and a positive example of ageing well. A success story of Lao refugee settlement, she provides outstanding leadership and sets a great example for younger generations.
Lesley Westerman, Araluen Centre
Lesley is described as an ‘absolute gem’ for the contribution she makes to the lives of people with disabilities at the Araluen Centre. She has enhanced the literacy and numeracy skills of program participants using her hallmark caring approach and positive attitude. Lesley’s volunteering experience has included roles with the Repatriation Hospital and DoCare and with her husband Bert, she has provided a home for children requiring foster care.
Lydia Charlamow, Russian Ethnic Representative Council of Victoria
For over 50 years, Lydia has been volunteering for the Russian Ethnic Council of Victoria. She has fulfilled governance roles and since 2003, has volunteered full-time, visiting elderly people to provide support and links to services. Through this commitment she has improved the quality of life of many who would otherwise experience social isolation.
Matthew Walmsley-Sims, Lyndoch Living
Matthew volunteers at Lyndoch Living where he is an integral part of the aged care team. Matthew is described as an inspirational individual who has not let any obstacle diminish his enthusiasm, passion or commitment to making a difference to residents’ lives. His leadership and innovation has resulted in the development of programs such as a ‘man cave’, engaging male residents who would not normally participate in activities.
Peter Watson, Alfred Health
Following a short stay in hospital, Peter wanted to give back to the community by becoming a volunteer. This has included a range of ‘hands on’ volunteer roles including concierge, hospital tours and pool pals, and supporting systems improvement by engaging with and representing health consumers. Through these efforts Peter has been able to make the patient experience better at all levels.
Ron Furze, Yackandandah Health
Ron’s commitment to volunteering spans six decades and for him it is an integral part of community life. Ron’s volunteering resume includes involvement with the Allans Flat Fire Brigade, Yackandandah Health and the local meals on wheels service. His accomplishments are many, including leading fundraising for the establishment of an aged care facility. Ron believes in, and cares for, his local community, having spent a lifetime helping others.
Ross McDowall, South East Volunteers
For over five years, Ross has been a driver in South East Volunteers Transport supporting people to live independently at home. Ross’ gentle and quiet nature is a comfort for many clients who are socially isolated and have a variety of medical problems. Ross also volunteers with Motor Neurone Disease Australia and Eastern Palliative Care. He is described as a “consistent quiet achiever” always ready to lend a hand.
Roy Francis, Mornington Peninsula Prostate Support Group
As a volunteer Ambassador for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Roy has established 11 support groups, and conducted 482 presentations to some 25,000 people throughout Victoria. He has also had ambassador roles with the National Stroke Foundation and Beyond Blue, and participated in the governance of sporting and seniors organisations.
Travis Williams, You Yangs MTB
Travis was a driving force in the development of a partnership with Parks Victoria to promote sustainable mountain bike riding in the You Yangs Regional Park. He spent over 750 hours in a seven month period developing the eastern epic trail often using his own bobcat and other heavy equipment to complete work in environmentally and culturally sensitive areas. Since 2002, park visitation has increased by 400 percent with over 45 percent of these being mountain bike riders.
Outstanding Youth Volunteers
Achmel Temple, Merri Community Health Services
After completing a student placement, Achmel continued as a volunteer, co-facilitating a drug and alcohol education program, and helping run youth camps. Achmel has helped engage a diverse range of young people. Sharing his personal experience of migration has provided great encouragement for participants to recount their own stories of challenge and hardship. Described as ’a young person full of inspiration, positivity and dreams’ Achmel is an excellent role model to the young people he supports.
Carrie Ewin, Longbeach PLACE
Carrie has run the Chelsea Personal Computer Support Group for over seven years assisting seniors to learn how to use technology. By developing and delivering group presentations, and providing one-on-one assistance, she has helped hundreds of seniors develop digital skills and reduce their social isolation. Carrie has been the driving force in organising corporate sponsorship and council grants to ensure the programs sustainability.
Dylen ‘Lenny’ Brown, Gannawarra Shire Council
Lenny is committed to strengthening the voice of young people and making rural communities better places to live. As Mayor of Gannawarra Shire Youth Council, she has raised the profile of youth issues and promoted awareness of, and respect for, the local Indigenous community. Lenny’s motivation for volunteering is ‘to see people happy' and despite study, work and family commitments she still finds the time for her community.
Elena Fonoti, The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614
Since June 2014, Elena has volunteered more than 1300 hours to multiple programs supporting homeless and disadvantaged young people. She is described as being ‘passionate, committed and hard working’, tirelessly connecting with program participants so that they learn to trust project staff and volunteers. An integral part of the youth team, Elena volunteers on top of her full-time studies.
Georgina Fraser, Peninsula Health
Making a difference to the patient experience is what motivates Georgina to volunteer with the ‘Speak Up’ program and the Assistance and Care in Emergency team at Peninsula Health. She is described as, ‘a great ambassador, raising the profile of volunteering and inspiring other young people to consider ways they can help their community’. Georgina commits a minimum of six hours a week on top of her full-time study load and two part-time jobs.
Katerina Blekic, Leo Club of Sunraysia, Lions Australia, Mildura Show Society
Katerina has been an active volunteer within her school and community from a very young age. A tireless fundraiser she once drove a tractor over 1,000 kms whilst completing her Gold Duke of Edinburg Award. Katerina helped form the Sunraysia Leo Club which encourages young people to become involved in the community. She is motivated by the desire to empower others, and to bring people and communities together to achieve their goals.
Madeleine Buchner, Little Dreamers Australia
At 16, Madeleine founded Little Dreamers, a charity that supports young carers, and aims to reduce the prevalence of mental illness in this target group, through dream experiences, education and advocacy. Since 2009, Madeleine has raised over $75,000 for the charity, and in 2014 set up and ran the first Young Carers Festival. On top of her own caring role, Madeleine studies full-time and regularly writes articles and gives speeches to raise awareness of the issues faced by young carers.
Pui Man ‘Penny’ Cheng, The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614
Since April 2014, Penny has volunteered for a range of programs that directly support, and have a huge impact on, the lives of hundreds of the most marginalised people in the City of Melbourne. An international student undertaking full-time study and part-time work, Penny has contributed over 1000 volunteering hours, often filling cancellations at short notice and travelling a long distance on public transport. She is highly regarded for her exceptional work ethic and attitude towards volunteering.