Thirty-one tireless community volunteers across outer South Western Sydney have been honoured in this year’s Werriwa Volunteer Awards.
Among them are people like Neola Funes from headspace Campbelltown, Raymond Pullen from Ingleburn Tennis Club, Margaret Bennett from Meals on Wheels Liverpool, Janette Marshall from Salvation Army Macquarie Fields and Donna Palmer from Curran Public School Community Café.
A number of teams and groups also received certificates from the federal member for Werriwa, Anne Stanley, in recognition of their contribution to the local community.
They included the Autism Advisory and Support Service fundraising team, Rural Fire Service at Middleton and Casula and Turbans 4 Australia Volunteers.
“Nobody can doubt that we have recently experienced difficult times,” Ms Stanley said after the presentation of certificates.
“From the devastating bushfires, storms and floods; and now to the Covid-19 crisis, many people have faced a range of challenges in our community.
“However, Australians are known around the world for being such a warm, community-minded people,” Ms Stanley said.
“In the face of these challenges, our community has risen to the occasion each and every time, and I have seen more people join together and lend a hand to assist.
“Volunteering has been, and always will be, central to our community and is an indication of the love we have for where we live and the people that live in it.
“The time all volunteers donate to our community is invaluable.
“I want to congratulate all winners of the Werriwa Volunteer Awards, but I also want to recognise every single one of the volunteers in our community,” Ms Stanley said.
