Entries open for Community Volunteer Awards

2017 Citizen of the Year Daphne Womersley. Photo by Damjan Janevski.

They’re the people running the Saturday morning athletics meet, the ones organising weekend litter clean-ups, those that give their free time to make their city that little bit
better.

Wyndham council is calling on residents for nominations in this year’s 2018 Community Volunteer Awards, which will recognise and honour the people who keep our communities ticking over.

Family friendly city portfolio holder Mia Shaw said the awards were a terrific way to say thank you.

“We know our community is filled with people doing amazing work to help others and to make Wyndham a wonderful place to live,” she said.

Winners will be announced at an awards event on August 31 and will have the chance to direct a donation to a charity or not-for-profit community group of their choice.

A Citizen of the Year will be chosen from among the seven category winners. Last year’s Citizen of the Year, Daphne Womersley, said the accolade had still not sunk in for her.

The Werribee resident, who is in her 80s, has spent more than six decades as a leader with the Werribee Guides, volunteered with St John’s Ambulance for the past 47 years, has been a member of the Red Cross for 35 years and is involved with the Country Women’s Association and Wyndham Ladies Auxiliary.

“I enjoy the things I do and I enjoy helping others,” Ms Womersley said.

“I don’t like to be sitting down and not doing anything – I like to be helping with things, and I think this is why I spread myself around a bit.”

Nominations are open until June 24. Details: wyndham.vic.gov.au/cvawards