Knox City Council has recognised inspiring individuals and community organisations in the Knox Community Awards.
Winners were announced during National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, to highlight the important work of volunteers in Knox and inspire people to start volunteering.
Knox Mayor, Councillor Jude Dwight said the awards celebrated the valuable contribution volunteers make to our community.
Awards were presented for Knox Volunteer of the Year, Knox Community Organisation of the Year and Outstanding Volunteer Service, as well as Recognition of Years of Service.
“These awards pay tribute to everyday residents who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact in Knox,” she said.
“Our award recipients don’t seek recognition. These awards are our opportunity to recognise outstanding individuals, organisations, clubs and groups for their volunteer efforts. It is our opportunity to show how much we, as a community, value their selfless and tireless volunteering efforts to help others and make Knox a great place.”
Christine Anderson was named Volunteer of the Year for her volunteer work with Rotary Club of Fern Tree Gully and other local organisations.
Feed One Feed All, established by Lillie Giang in 2021 following a significant storm event and a growing demand to provide meals to those in need was awarded the Community Organisation of the Year.
Ms Limb from Volunteer for Knox (which is an umbrella organisation dedicated to helping organisations find volunteers) said that establishing Feed One, Feed All worked out ‘beautifully’.
“It was a perfect marriage – so the youth group came in they helped with cooking, packing food, labelling containers, helping load into trucks for the food to go elsewhere,” she said.
“Feed one feed all produce probably 800 800 to 1200 meals per week.”
Other community were applauded for their outstanding volunteer service – Bernard Fewster for his volunteer work with St Vincent de Paul Society, Trevor Norton for his volunteer work with the Adult Migrant English Program – Volunteer Tutor Scheme, Bridges Community Services, and Meals on Wheels, Kathleen Loxton for her volunteer work with The Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve and previously with Bridges and other local organisations, Liz Bullen for her volunteer work with Ben’s Place — Community Support Knox, Yarra Ranges & Surrounds and Nirmala Nyaupane for her volunteer work with Didi Bahini Samaj Victoria.
Mandy Limb said Knox volunteers have contributed 65,500 hours to the city of Knox with the value of their volunteering worth more than $3 million.
Volunteer for Knox recently hosted the Volunteering Expo on 24 April, celebrating 40 local organisations, with school students and the community in attendance.
“We had a prosperity toss, which is a Chinese tradition and everyone was yelling out – We wished for more volunteers,” she said.
“Our community has a strong volunteering culture, with 17,300 people, or 13.1% of the population aged 15 and over, dedicating their time to some form of voluntary work,” Cr Dwight said.
“Being able to highlight some of our amazing unsung heroes will hopefully inspire others and help raise awareness of opportunities to volunteer and contribute to our community,” she said.
