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The National Australia Bank today announced national category winners in the National Volunteer Awards at a presentation ceremony at Sydney's Shangri La Hotel.
The National Volunteer Awards are an initiative of the National and each winning organisation received $10,000 from the National Australia Bank to go towards their organisation's activities. The other 54 state and territory finalists, who competed for the national titles, were each awarded $7000 for their community organisation.
The winning organisations in their respective categories are:
Art and Culture: Cootamundra Amateur Dramatic Arts Society Inc. (NSW)
Children and Families: Yarrunga Primary School Community Links Program (VIC)
Community Service and Development: Murray Bridge Refugee Support Group (SA)
Education, Training and Youth Development: Youth Off The Streets (NSW)
Emergency and Safety: Rivers Volunteer Bushfire and Emergency Services Brigade (ACT)
Environment, Conservation, Heritage and Animal Welfare: Birds Australia Glupot Reserve (SA)
Health and Wellbeing: Amanda Young Foundation (WA)
Rural and Regional Development: Nimmitabel Show Society (NSW)
Sport and Recreation: Manly Yacht Club (NSW)
The Awards' presentation coincided with International Volunteer Day † an initiative of the United Nations to recognise and pay homage to the work of volunteers.
The Ultimate Accolade - 'Group of the Year'
Rivers Volunteer Bushfire and Emergency Services Brigade was also awarded the highest accolade † the National Volunteer 'Group of the Year' - for an outstanding contribution to its local community in January this year, where it played an integral role in fighting the Canberra bushfires. The brigade was unprecedented in its achievement of winning four award categories: the People's Choice Award, State Award and the National Award in the Emergency and Safety category, as well as the Group of the Year.
'Spirit of Volunteering' Award
The RSPCA Nhulunbuy was awarded the National 'Spirit of Volunteering' award for best representing Australia's spirit of volunteering through the way in which it works with and nurtures its volunteers. They received $1,400 from the National Australia Bank.
Thousands of Entries
The National's Executive General Manager, Financial Services Australia, Ian MacDonald said this year the National Volunteer Awards attracted thousands of entries from around the country, all of whom were worthy of praise and thanks for their efforts.
"The many and varied roles of our volunteer organisations and the work they do to help their communities is the backbone of our nation. I would like to extend my congratulations and thanks to all nominees and winners for their fantastic achievements and ongoing commitment to their local communities," said Ian.
More than 2,700 community were groups nominated for this year's Awards.
Representatives from 72 volunteer organisations, all state/territory finalists in their respective categories and the People's Choice Award winners, were flown to Sydney to attend the ceremony, which was hosted by the National.
People's Choice Awards
This year the National Australia Bank introduced a People's Choice Award (PCA) to provide members of local communities with the opportunity to vote for their favourite volunteer group. The group with the most votes in each of the nine categories received $2,500 at the national awards ceremony.
They are:
Art and Culture: Adelaide Fringe Festival (SA)
Children and Families: Fairy Garden Sparkle Project (NSW)
Community Service and Development: Reality Youth and Community Services (QLD)
Education, Training and Youth Development : Glendyne Education & Training Centre (QLD)
Emergency and Safety: Rivers Volunteer Bushfire and Emergency Services Brigade (ACT)
Environment, Conservation, Heritage and Animal Welfare: Project Dolphin Safe (SA)
Health and Wellbeing : Sydney Korean Womens Welfare Centre (NSW)
Rural and Regional Development: Gulargambone Rural Transaction Centre Inc. (NSW)
Sport and Recreation : St Edwards Netball (QLD)
About The Awards
Since their inception in 1997, the National Volunteer Awards have grown to become one of Australia's largest and most successful programs to promote, encourage and recognise volunteers.
The Awards are open to local or regional not-for-profit clubs, groups or organisations active in a local Australian community over the past 12 months.
The winners share in a total $500,000 prize money.
There are seven state/territory winners across nine categories † 63 in all - who each received $7000 for their community group at a state/territory presentation ceremony in November.
The state/territory winners ranked the highest by the judges were awarded the national winner of their respective category and received an additional $3000 at the national awards presentation ceremony. The judging panel is independent of the National and comprises representatives from Australia's major not-for-profit organisations and community leaders.
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