Newport's David Lye is 2024 Volunteer of the Year
One Meal Northern Beaches community composter David Lye has been named the 2024 Northern Beaches Volunteer of the Year for his work to forge a community compost network, while helping to feed people sleeping rough and in need throughout the region.
The award was announced today at Dee Why RSL as part of the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Recipients in other Northern Beaches regional award categories were also announced today including adult, senior and volunteer team of the year.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
The Awards are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, whose mission it is to promote and support volunteering across NSW.
Northern Beaches Adult Volunteer of the Year: David Lye from Newport
David began his volunteering in the warehouse at One Meal Northern Beaches, helping to provide up to 18,000 meals, pantry essentials and fruit and vegetables a week to people in need across the region. He turned his attention to its growing food waste problem, creating community composting partnerships that are improving sustainability, educating students and helping increase its ability to provide more meals for clients in need. He now volunteers about 3 session a week with his community composting program, turning two tonnes of organic waste a month into a rich, healthy resource for community gardens.
Northern Beaches Senior Volunteer of the Year: Glenn Fisher from Frenchs Forest
Glenn volunteers as a radio presenter on Radio Northern Beaches, as a community representative on the Northern Sydney Local Health District Cognitive Impairment Committee and helped establish the Turner Syndrome Association of Australia and Australasian Genetic Support Group and Growth Foundation. This volunteer work helps people to connect and improves the lives of people living with a disability.
Northern Beaches Volunteer Team of the Year: One Meal Northern Beaches Community Cooks
The team of 190 volunteer cooks provides up to 900 nutritious meals each week for One Meal Northern Beaches. The team cooks, cleans, creates menus, on boards volunteers and ensures strict health standards.
Their work helps to feed the growing number of people sleeping rough or in need throughout the region.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said:
“These awards recognise the exceptional effort of volunteers across the Northern Beaches.
“Whether it’s in the local sports club, in health care, education and cultural centres, legal support or emergency response, volunteers are essential for the ongoing health and viability of local communities.
“It’s important for volunteers across the Northern Beaches to know that their commitment is recognised and valued.”
The Awards are supported by Principal Partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW.
The NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie Harrison said:
“Congratulations to the recipients of the Northern Beaches Volunteer of the Year Awards. Thank you for the incredible contributions you make to NSW and your local community.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, and the NSW Government is pleased to be partnering with the Centre for Volunteering to recognise volunteers and the valuable role they play in making NSW the best state to live and work in.”
ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said:
“The awards are a tribute to the vital contributions made by volunteers across the state.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the NSW club industry, and their efforts are crucial in uplifting local communities.
“We're delighted to have a special Club Volunteer of the Year Award category and I can’t wait to see who takes home that honour.”
The Northern Beaches award recipients will be invited to represent their region at the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney at the end of the year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced across each category.
About the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards
2024 marks the 18th year of these high-profile Awards, which have honoured hundreds of thousands of volunteers for their community service, while highlighting the value and benefits of volunteering.
Anyone who volunteers in NSW can be nominated for an award.
The Award categories are:
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Employee Volunteer of the Year
- Adult Volunteer of the Year
- Club Volunteer of the Year
- Senior Volunteer of the Year
- Not-for-Profit Voluntary Governance Award
- Volunteer Team of the Year
- Volunteer Leader of the Year
Twenty-five regional ceremonies are held in towns and suburbs throughout NSW from mid-August until November. The regional finalists will be invited to a Gala State ceremony in December in Sydney where the NSW Volunteer of Year is announced. Recipients for the NSW Volunteer of the Year are also announced across the eight categories.
The Awards are run by the Centre for Volunteering and proudly supported by our principal partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW.