MOREE SES volunteer Kam Wheeler has been named 2025 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year at a special gala event in Sydney today.

Ms Wheeler is a leading Moree SES rescuer, trainer and leader with more than 40 years’ experience across the north-western region of New South Wales.

She is the Mehi Cluster support officer, taking in Moree, Mungindi, Garah and Boggabilla, and has led flood recovery operations in Moree and Garah.

Ms Wheeler also supported frontline crews during Cyclone Alfred, and has been a role model to young and female volunteers in the service.

“I am astounded to receive the NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year award,” Kam smiled.

“Volunteering is a vital step in our communities, along with the skills you can gain and the friendships you build – people become family,” she said.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said Ms Wheeler is an exceptional, third generation emergency volunteer.

“Kamala has gone above and beyond for her local community for more than 40 years,” Ms Rygate said.

“She has led flood recovery operations, supported frontline crews during Cyclone Alfred and is helping to mentor the next generation of emergency volunteers across the state’s north-west.

“She is a very deserving recipient of the 2025 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year Award,” she said.

Award winners across seven award categories were announced today at the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards in front of more than 300 community, business and political leaders, including NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib.

Mr Dib said the selfless and brave efforts of the state’s emergency service volunteers are celebrated in this year’s awards.

“Volunteers responding to emergency events and disasters across New South Wales put their lives on hold to help their communities during floods, fires and storms,” Mr Dib said.

“I would like to congratulate all of the finalists.

“This outstanding group deserve our thanks and represent a small number of the extraordinary volunteers that I have the privilege to meet in my role as Emergency Services Minister,” he said.

This Year’s Winners

2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year and 2025 NSW Young Volunteer of the Year: Molly Croft from Dubbo and Macquarie Park

Brave 18-year-old Molly Croft turned pain into purpose after being diagnosed at 12 with a rare form of aggressive bone cancer, enduring treatment that removed most of the bone in one leg and part of a lung. Molly has since given her time to raise more than $2 million for children’s charities, including $1 million for cancer research as co-founder of The Tie Dye Project.

She moved from her home in Dubbo this year to study at university and is a strong public speaker, championing awareness and funding for cancer research and mental health resilience.

2025 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year Award: Kamala Wheeler from Moree

Kam has been a leading Moree SES rescuer, trainer and leader for almost 40 years across the north-west region of New South Wales.

She is now the Deputy Unit Commander at Moree SES and has led flood recovery operations in Moree and Garah, supported frontline crews during Cyclone Alfred, and been a role model to young and female volunteers in the service.

2025 Senior Volunteer of the Year: Kristine Simeon from Black Head

Kristine gives her time with the Justice Advocacy Service through the Intellectual Disability Rights Service, where she supports people in need to navigate the court and justice system in the Forster and Tuncurry region.

She attends court two to three times a week to ensure all people can get support within the justice system.

2025 NSW Emergency Volunteer of the Year: Richard Alley from Murrumbateman

At 19 years of age, Richard Alley became the youngest Brigade Captain in the Southern Tablelands Zone of the NSW Rural Fire Service. He’s packed in an extraordinary amount of service into a decade of emergency volunteering, including training, mentoring and emergency response.

Richard is a skilled chainsaw operator, winning first place at the 2024 RFS State Championships, and also gives his time playing the euphonium with the Yass Valley Concert Band.

2025 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year: Birds in the Bush Team from Orange

The nine members of the Birds in the Bush Volunteer Team create safer communities for women and children in rural and regional areas by advocating for better services and raising community awareness about the impact and causes of domestic and family violence.

The group shares a large volunteering workload including organising events, fundraising, community collaboration, designing and selling merchandise, and social media advocacy.

They’ve helped raise $422,000 to support domestic violence prevention initiatives across the region.

2025 NSW Volunteer Leader of the Year: Marian Casey

Marian has held senior leadership roles with St John Ambulance, championed diversity and inclusion within the NSW SES, supported emerging female leaders through the Warrior Woman Foundation, and serves as the inaugural non-clinical member of the steering committee for the RACS TIPS course, which trains surgeons in communication and problem-solving to improve patient outcomes.

2025 Not-For-Profit Voluntary Governance Award: Women’s Justice Network Board

The six volunteer members of the Women’s Justice Network Board play a pivotal role in guiding one of Australia’s only community organisations supporting women and girls impacted by the criminal justice system.

Through their leadership, WJN has strengthened its programs, expanded its impact, and delivered life-changing support that helps women leaving prison to rebuild their lives and reduce reoffending.