Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Thursday, 12 May, 2016. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Volunteer award winners announced

The winners were;

Female winner: Heather Halsall
Male Winner: Sam Atukorala
Female Youth: Jillian Goodman
Male Youth: Brad Corken
Rural Winner: Tony Farrell
Team Winners: Shepparton Foodshare
Longest Serving: Joyce Block

Greater Shepparton Mayor Dinny Adem congratulated all winners and nominees

“On behalf of Council, I would like to congratulate all winners and nominees. Every volunteer is incredibly valuable to their community. Thank you all for your hard work and commitment to strengthening our community,” Cr Adem said.

Sam Atukorala

Sam facilitates multicultural community engagement for youth, families and their friends in the sporting area and also facilitates strong community bonds in many other communities in our region. Sam’s Volunteering roles encompass all facets of the community; health, multicultural, education, finance, community events/fundraisers, Indigenous community and Buddhist community. In 2015, Sam curated the first ever public Wesak Celebration. This event brought together over 150 Buddhist and community leaders. Since this event, Sam has taken up initiatives to form a Buddhist Association in the Goulburn Valley.

Heather Halsall

Heather is a kind, caring and passionate community member. During her lifetime she has been an active and enthusiastic citizen who is always going out of her way to help others. She has been a successful business woman, devoted wife and mother and a champion for Shepparton.

Heather volunteers her time at G.V Health’s Oncology unit and for the past 5 years has advocated and lobbied to see the establishment of a place for young people to meet, resulting in the Kar Shed program.

Jillian Goodman

Jillian volunteers with Disability Support Services, assisting children with disabilities to participate in a range of recreation activities such as cooking, dancing, swimming and craft. Jillian is reliable and has a lovely rapport with both clients and staff; Jillian juggles her volunteer work with VCE studies and a part time job. Familycare are very lucky to have Jillian on the volunteer program.

Brad Corken

Brad’s fifth straight year contributing to the youth community, and the community as a whole, has meant that Brad has now surpassed more than 1000 hours contributed to Word and Mouth, all voluntarily. He is a quiet achiever, with his reward seeing the happiness and change being made within a safe youth community event and outcome. He is dedicated,

Tony Farrell

Tony is a quiet achiever, a tireless worker that does so many things around the town to benefit the community. He is a quiet, caring, hardworking man, who sees a need and acts on it. Tony builds and repairs structures often from his own resources and money. He never seeks acknowledgement but does it just because he cares. He has been the instigator and driving force for a men’s shed. He wants a place for men to socialise, learn new skills and be given a sense of belonging. He is passionate about helping the youth of the town. Tony is a true gentleman and a deserving volunteer.

Shepparton Foodshare

Volunteers give up to 3 to 4 days a week of their own personal time to ensure Shepparton Foodshare is able to provide food to those in need. Shepparton Foodshare volunteers service over 70 organisations in the Goulburn Valley, which includes agencies, churches and schools. Volunteers rescue food from various places in the Goulburn Valley by way of daily pick up in the Foodshare van and bringing them back to the warehouse to sort the food into nutrition value. The volunteers are courteous and helpful to all organisations and are appreciated by all. Without the volunteers, Shepparton Foodshare would cease to exist.

Joyce Block

Joyce is a worthy recipient for long serving volunteer. She is motivating and inspirational to clients and others she is in contact with. Joyce is always willing to assist in various charities and organisations as well as a loyal and reliable volunteer with Social Connections and Greater Shepparton City Council. She takes on any role that is required and does so with humility, never looking for credit.