MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan encourages friends, family and coworkers to put a remarkable volunteer’s name forward by nominating them for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Launched in 2007 by the Centre for Volunteering, the awards celebrate the six million people who volunteer for organisations across Australia.

Mr Moylan said the Northern Tablelands has numerous people who contribute to our communities by selflessly offering their time and we can now formally show our appreciation their efforts.

“Recognising and celebrating our volunteers is incredibly important because, without them, many organisations, charities, events, sporting clubs and more couldn’t operate,” he said.

“Although they don’t do it for recognition, the Volunteer of the Year Awards provide the opportunity to formally thank and acknowledge how valuable these people are in our communities.

“Last year, Moree’s Kamala Wheeler received the 2025 NSW Adult Volunteer of the Year Award nearly 40 years of volunteering at the SES.

“Kamala and other volunteers continually show up for others when it matters the most and it is great to recognise their dedication and compassion.

“I urge people to nominate our communities’ unsung heroes in this year’s Volunteer of the Year Awards.”

There are seven categories for the awards, including Young volunteer (24 years and under); Adult volunteer (25 to 64 years); Senior volunteer (65 years and over); Volunteer team; Emergency volunteer; Volunteer leader; and Not-for-profit voluntary governance.

There are two ways to nominate: for Recognition Only, where nominees receive a certificate and are invited to attend their local regional ceremony, or for Judging, where nominees are assessed by an independent panel and considered for regional and state honours.

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan and last year’s New England-Northern Inland Volunteer of the Year Kamala Wheeler who went on to win the statewide award.

According to the 2025 NSW State of Volunteering Report, volunteers across the state give 1.3 billion hours of their time to their communities each year, contributing $205.3 billion to the NSW economy.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate this amazing contribution.

“Volunteers in NSW do so much good, for so many people every year,” Ms Rygate said.

“Now more than ever, we need to shine a light on the positive impact of volunteering – and that’s what these awards are all about.”

All nominations must be submitted online at The Centre for Volunteering’s website by 5pm, Friday, May 29, 2026.

Nominators must have the nominee’s consent and provide their personal email address so they can receive ceremony invitations and important updates.

For nominees under 18, parental or guardian consent is required in line with Child Safe Standards.

Volunteers and Volunteer Leaders and managers are not permitted to nominate themselves.

For more information or to submit a nomination, go to 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards Nominations Open.