Impact Volunteering Volunteer Awards

Impact Volunteering would like to congratulate the following individuals for their nominations for the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Service

Winner

Glenn Cooper - That’s The Thing About Fishing

‘Young People with a Purpose’ – a voice advocating for the youth of our future, was created as part of Glenn’s encouragement to a member of the community who was struggling with the Covid-19 restrictions and felt lonely and isolated from their usual activities they engaged in pre-Covid. With Glenn’s background supporting those battling mental health and disability through his That’s The Thing About Fishing program, he was able to encourage others to reach out and support those in need to find purpose, encouraging them to be a part of a community showing them they are not alone, listening to others who have overcome or are still fighting the battle of mental illness, encouraging the creation of ‘Young People with a Purpose’.

Leadership

Winner

Andrew Maling - The Pine’s Men’s Shed

Andrew is dedicated to get The Pines Men’s Shed on the move and to make sure that it will last for the generations to come. With men's health his main focus of concern; constantly checking up on our members whenever he notices their absence, Andrew has created such a welcoming, caring and supportive space, resulting in more members joining, increasing daily attendance of approximately 24 men.

Teamwork

Winner

Hannah Swinnerton - Young People With A Purpose

Hannah has been a long-time advocate for youth in the local area, with her main concern focusing on the mental health and wellbeing of young people during the extended periods of Covid-19 lock down and social isolation and how they could continue to access services when many were not able to travel.

Hannah and a group of friends founded ‘Young People With A Purpose’ which is a closed Facebook group that provides a safe and supportive social platform where young people and others that support them can share their stories both the good and the not so good, connecting local service providers and young people to attend public forums and reach out to each other with a very clear message that “You Are Not Alone” (YANA) and that they are part of a community family.

Initiative

Winner

Anne Clare - Impact Volunteering

Anne brings to her role Passion, Commitment, Skills, Teamwork, Forward-thinking and the ability to adapt under pressure and maintain positive relationships. By discussing their focus, reasons and capacity, Anne supports individuals in finding their most suitable volunteer role in the community. Volunteering 2 days a week Anne puts her all in those days, identifying and creating extra areas and processes to improve and streamline service programs.

Organisation $1000 Prize Winner

Local 2 Community

The impact Local 2 Community has had on the Frankston North Community is tremendous. Supporting the local community, offering a foodbank and material aid service has strengthened relationships, identifying members in need, contacting and supporting the most vulnerable residents creating a tight-knit, friendly and caring culture. Committed to continuous innovation and growth, Local 2 Community has increased its services from 1 day per week to a full 5 days, with plans in full swing for a café run by NDIS participants and a dedicated mentoring space supporting local youth and VCAL projects in the near future.

The $1000 prize money will be used to start a Christmas Donation Fund for Frankston North families, enabling 75 family food and toy hampers to be distributed and enjoyed by local families in need at Christmas, especially after such a tough year.

2020 Volunteer of the Year Awards

Impact Volunteering would like to congratulate the following individuals for their nominations for the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Service Category

Winner

Peter Lewis - Community Support Frankston

A founding member and an important contributor of Community Support Frankston, Peter has been supporting the Frankston community for 52 years advocating for vulnerable clients with his supportive nature, sense of humour and professional leadership.

Neil Kinsey - Langwarrin Community Centre

Neil has been instrumental in implementing positive change in the morale of staff and the perception of the Centre since 2013. His drive, dedication and air of authority, along with his honesty, knowledge and guidance makes him an invaluable leader and asset initiating and supporting many community projects and improvements.

Bryan Phelan - Coastguard Frankston

Bryan has made a huge contribution to operational and leadership at VF1, with over 2000 sea hours, 286 SAR callouts, keeping the Frankston waters safe for our community. A community minded member since 2003, and an active contributor as a skipper and Deputy Flotilla Commander.

David Cannon - Pantry Plus, Peninsula Christian Care

For the past 6 years David’s involvement has grown the organisation enormously, personally providing financial and food donations, purchasing a van and trailer to pickup and deliver goods and connected with various places to increase the amount and variety of food offered to our guests/clients. Although David has many health challenges this hasn’t stopped him – he will do what it takes to be able to keep helping people in the Frankston community.

Gillian Donath - AWARE Wildlife

Gillian is a passionate and dedicated carer for native and indigenous wildlife, a 100% volunteer wildlife rescue and rehabilitation group which operates in Frankston and surrounding suburbs. Devoted to assisting sick, injured or orphaned wildlife that may otherwise be left to suffer or die by providing a 24 hour emergency rescue hotline service. This service is manned by volunteers knowledgeable in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation techniques.

Glenys Medley - Frankston North Community Centre

Glenys has a profound knowledge of the range of services available to the community and is always connecting local people to the agencies. She has been the volunteer group leader for our book group and helps in the homework club and art club and playgroups. She has studied as a mature aged student and has been at FNCC for nearly three years, she has a kind heart and empathy.

Nina Jayilian - Theodora’s Cheerful Givers

A full time volunteer in our Foodbank since 2017, Nina’s suburb role modelling, dedication and amazing cooking skills has enabled the Foodbank to expand in its capacity to meet the growing demand for emergency food relief by families and individuals enduring financial hardship in the local community.

Ian Sheil - Meals on Wheels

Ian has been volunteering in the community for 16 years, supporting the Meals on Wheels service with his caring and responsible attitude.

Leadership

Winner

Gary Zeuschner - Langwarrin Netball Club

When Gary was elected as President he initiated many positive projects and procedures for the Langwarrin Netball Club. After a member unexpectedly passed away Gary organised counselling for all club members that needed it, arranged the food for the wake and regularly checks in on the family to ensure they are coping. Gary also has a great relationship with other clubs at Lloyd Pk and together they continually strive for the best for the community.

Jodie Harris - Mums Supporting Families in Need

Jodie established the organisation in 2012 when she realised there was a lack of material aid support for disadvantaged or vulnerable families. Her vision now provides essential support working with over 80 social and welfare agencies creating a well-respected organisation within the community.

Wally Cooper - Frankston Raiders

Within 6 months, Wally has taken the organisation to another level of expertise in leading our family-oriented club into a better future. Putting in a lot of his time and effort to keep the organisation running smoothly, continually updating the committee with any new information and making sure our community and families are safe and health.

Hans Wright - Frankston Archery Club

Hans has been the back-bone of the club for over 13 years – the man and coach to speak to when it came to the development of archers of all ages and level of expertise. A visionary leader and passionate role model for many young archers, someone to rely on to foster the development of keen beginners into competitive archers – Hans would be sorely missed.

Teamwork

Winner

Melissa Burgess - Frankston North Community Centre

Melissa has created a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for the families of Frankston North. Volunteering for many years, in particular, creating a Friday food playgroup, bringing families together who might be struggling or isolated, giving them support and encouragement they need to access the services within the community centre.

Innovation

Winner

Tanya Thomas - Community Volunteer - Individual Nomination

Tanya was nominated by her son and is passionate about making the world a safer and more welcoming place for kids with autism and disabilities. Tanya volunteers in many sectors across the community, including volunteering at Peninsula Health, where she is a consumer representative on the disability committee. A smart, caring, compassionate hard-working single mum with great ideas, she spends much of her time making a difference in the community as well as being a mum to three children, 2 who have autism.

Initiative

Winner

Helena Blomeley - Donation Chain

Helena founded Donation Chain, a local organisation supporting vulnerable members of the community, providing shower facilities, toiletries, clothing. Helena puts in a lot of time and effort helping many of our community who are less fortunate, making sure they are not just ignored but are seen as real people.

Abigail Thurairajasingam - SHINE for Kids

Passionate about supporting children who are experiencing parental incarceration, Abigail spends 2 hrs per week connecting and building up a trusting relationship providing individualised support through innovative and fun ways.

Chloe Simpson - SHINE for Kids

Chloe wants to increase the awareness of the support that children of incarcerated parents need and deserve and has made a huge impact on the child she is matched with. Completing a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) along with completing many hours of training, Chloe has become a highly valued volunteer making a positive impact to the organisation and the community through her commitment to the RISE Education Program.

Olivia Craven - SHINE for Kids

Olivia is passionate about supporting children who have a parent in prison, understanding the value of having someone there to look out for you and guide you, as she has personally experienced. Willing to support two children, assisting them with their homework and learning at school for 3 hrs each week along with their social and emotional well being through fun activities, making a positive impact in the program.

Rohan Ambardar - SHINE for Kids

Rohan is a compassionate young man with a good understanding of some of the effects of parental incarceration, he wants to support these children to help them with the struggles they may be facing in school with their learning, friendships and emotions. AS the only male volunteer, Rohan is a highly valued and excellent role model both to potential volunteers and the child he’s matched with. Currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Criminology and supporting a child for 2 hrs each week.

Sheralyn Hill - SHINE for Kids

Sheralyn is a caring and confident student currently studying Criminology who is passionate about volunteering with SHINE for Kids as she is aware of the struggles children face when experiencing parental incarceration. Sheralyn meets with her mentee for 2hrs each week.

Organisation $1000 Prize Winner

Theodora’s Cheerful Givers

Theodora’s Cheerful Givers is a local organisation fully run by volunteers. Operating in the Frankston area for 20 years, they have developed a reputation for providing material support through a comprehensive foodbank, along with an attitude of respect and courtesy for each person. Their ability to adapt and adopt new processes during the COVID-19 restrictions is also to commended. During these times all fundraising activities have been put on hold, placing enormous pressure on their financial resources required to continue their valuable operations.