Albany volunteering community honoured for National Volunteer Week

Monday night saw Albany honour its volunteering community at Retravision Stadium, marking the start of National Volunteering Week.

The week of recognition is the biggest annual celebration of volunteering efforts in Australia.

Hosted by the Albany and Regional Volunteer Service and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the night was attended by Rebecca Stephens on behalf of the Minister for Volunteering, Stephen Dawson, Mayor of Albany Dennis Wellington, and City of Albany CEO Andrew Sharpe.

Also in attendance were Albany Chamber of Commerce CEO Kristen Pyrz-Brown, Broomehill Tambellup CEO Anthony Middleton, Vernice Gillies, ARVS board members and members of the Stidwell family.

The event was sponsored by the City of Albany, Lotterywest, and Volunteering WA.

Canapes and music were enjoyed by the more than 150 guests as they networked with their peers.

A video message from Stephen Dawson thanked the volunteers for all their hard work for the community, while Ms Pyrz-Brown spoke of Albany volunteer Alice Rule’s tireless volunteering efforts and determination.

Marion Sewell was awarded a Long Service Medal, as was Phyllis Mirco in honour of her more than fifty years of service with the Albany Girl Guides.

Les Bairstow was awarded the Mike Stidwell medal for the Lower Great Southern Tennis Association, and a much-loved and missed member of the community, the late Nicole Weeden, was honoured for her service to sport.

More than fifty volunteers and volunteering associations received awards on the night, honouring the spirit of volunteering and the dedication and ethic volunteers bring to communities.