ANNOUNCING OUR STATE’S OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR

Wednesday, 4 December 2019

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing today congratulated the 2019 Victorian Volunteer Champion Award recipients in the Eastern Victorian Region.

Those listed below have been recognised this year, in various categories, for their incredible in work in the Eastern Victorian community.

  • Mr Avtar Singh, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Brijal Parikh, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Harjinder Kaur, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Harjit (Ravneet) Kaur, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Joe Petersen, Bunyip, Teamwork (BlazeAid Bunyip)
  • Mr John Anderson, Bunyip, Teamwork (BlazeAid Bunyip)
  • Mrs Madhu Bhatia, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Manjinder Singh, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Navpreet Singh Dhanoa, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Nigel Jones, Mooroolbark, Service
  • Mr Ramandeep Kang, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Ramneet Kaur Walia, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Mr Randeep Saini, Officer, Teamwork (Siri Guru Nanak Darbar)
  • Ms Sarah Johnston, Bunyip, Teamwork (BlazeAid Bunyip)
  • Mr Simon Righton, Bunyip, Teamwork (BlazeAid Bunyip)
  • Mr Steven Unthank, Toongabbie, Impact
  • Mrs Sue Neilson, Bunyip, Teamwork (BlazeAid Bunyip)
  • Mrs Susan Anderson, Bunyip, Teamwork (BlazeAid Bunyip)
  • Ms Therese Baker, Bunyip, Teamwork (BlazeAid Bunyip)

Now in its seventh year, the Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards were created to recognise and celebrate the value and impact of volunteering across Victoria in building our communities, services and connections.

More than 1.5 million Victorians volunteer their time, skills and experience – making a huge contribution to our local communities. Their contribution to the Victorian economy is estimated to be worth up to $42 billion by 2021, if volunteering rates continue.

This year, 247 nominations were received across the categories of Service, Leadership, Impact and Teamwork and 57 volunteers were recognised for their invaluable contributions.

To find out more, visit: volunteer.vic.gov.au/awards.

Quote attributable to Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers Luke Donnellan

“Congratulations to all our award recipients. You are the backbone of our local communities, providing comfort and relief to people who need it most.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

“Every year we see more volunteers putting their heart and soul into working together to support others and improve our communities in a huge variety of ways. Thanks to all our outstanding volunteers who help make Victoria a better place to live.” 

“These awards recognise the outstanding and selfless work that all volunteers do in the community every day, often in incredibly difficult or trying circumstances, and I congratulate them all on their dedication and generosity of spirit.”