Nominate local heroes for National Volunteer Awards, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 20-July-2011

Communities across O’Connor are encouraged to nominate their local champions as part of the National Volunteer Awards.

Nominations are now open for the National Volunteer Awards, which will recognise and celebrate local volunteers across Australia in 2011 as part of the United Nations tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers activities.

Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook will oversee the awards process in O’Connor, and will establish a panel of judges to determine award recipients across 10 categories.

The National Volunteer Award winners will be announced on International Volunteer Day, 5 December, 2011.

Mr Crook said volunteers were the backbones of our regional communities.

“Volunteers come in all shapes and forms and play a vital role in our communities. From the local sporting team committee to community groups, event organisers, carers, and our emergency services personnel, they contribute a great resource to our regions,” Mr Crook said.

Over five million Australians contribute their time, energy and expertise each year to volunteering, giving around 730 million hours of unpaid work each year, worth around $15 billion to the Australian economy.

Mr Crook said this year it was especially important to recognise the role our emergency services groups play in assisting our communities in times of need.

“Our emergency services groups across Australia have certainly been put through the wringer in the past year, dealing with a range of natural disasters; and the National Volunteer Awards are an opportunity to say thank you for their hard work and dedication.”

Nomination forms for the National Volunteer Awards can be collected from Tony Crook’s office in Kalgoorlie or Albany, or online at www.tonycrook.com.au.

Nominations are called for in the following categories:

·         MP’s Volunteer of the Year
·         Junior Volunteer Award (17 and under)
·         Young Volunteer Award (18-25)
·         Education Award
·         Environment Award
·         Long-term Commitment to Community Service Award
·         Business Volunteer Award
·         Innovation in Volunteering Award (for an organisation or individual)
·         New Organisation Award
·         Emergency Management Volunteer Award.

Nominations close August 31.

See this article on the member's website