EMERGENCY services volunteers will be recognised for the first time in the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
The Centre for Volunteering added this seventh category to its annual celebration, following the announcement in March of the Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation.
The citation ensures that the unique and vital contributions of emergency responders and volunteers during the major NSW flood events between 2021 and 2023 are recognised.
The inaugural NSW Emergency Volunteer of the Year award is also open to community groups and individuals.
“[Emergency service] volunteers are always there to provide care, support, and lifesaving responses during floods, storms, and fires across our beaches and waterways,” Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said.
“This is a wonderful initiative of the NSW Government, and we look forward to meeting many of the inspiring emergency volunteers at our regional ceremonies later in the year.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the new award improves the recognition of not only volunteers from emergency services organisations, but also informal volunteers and other community organisations.
“It’s just one way to let your local emergency volunteers know their dedication and contribution doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Our dedicated volunteers… are often first on the scene, protecting and caring for us when we need it most.
“Almost everyone knows someone who gives their time as an emergency volunteer.
“I urge you to go online and take the time to nominate them for this important award.”
Nominations can be submitted before 5pm on Friday, 23 May by visiting volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards.
Last year, more than 139,000 nominees from over 500 organisations were recognised at regional and state ceremonies.
By Andrea FERRARI
