2024 Volunteer Week Awards

Our Annual Volunteer Week Awards took place at Memorial Hall last Friday evening. It was a wonderful event dedicated to celebrating the spirit of volunteering in our community and hosted by Mike O’Loughlin, a retired 'Tassie Talks' radio host who now volunteers at the George Town Lions Club.

Jo Hart, a former volunteer award recipient, opened the evening with an Acknowledgment to Country. This was followed by inspiring speeches from the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, highlighting the importance of volunteer work in our community.

The catering was provided by Kimmy’s Dream Café, which provided delicious refreshments for all attendees. Adding to the festive atmosphere, local musician Dave Bailey performed live, offering a beautiful musical backdrop for the evening.

Each year, we recognise exceptional volunteers in four different categories:

• Volunteer Service Award: For 5 years of service. 2024 winner – Marilyn Hunter
• Major Volunteer Service Award: For 5-10 years of service. 2024 winner – Jessica Berger
• Outstanding Volunteer Service Award: For over 10 years of service. 2024 winner – Carmen Bowkett
• Lifetime Volunteer Service Award: For over 20 years of service. 2024 winner - Paul Gale

This event serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of our community volunteers. Their contributions are invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to making our community a better place.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Volunteer Week Awards, and congratulations to the 2024 winners, Marilyn Hunter, Jessica Berger, Camen Bowkett and Paul Gale.

 

Marilyn Hunter won the Volunteer Service Award (5 years). After her contributions to the George Town Visitor Information Centre. She is exceptional at sharing her knowledge of our wonderful municipality and adds to the positive experience of tourists and visitors. She has also volunteered at the Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum, Radio Station and the Watch House. Currently still volunteering at the George Town Lions Club.

Jessica Berger won the Major Volunteer Service Award (5-10 years). For her active commitment to the George Town Junior Soccer Club and also George Town Neighbourhood House. Jessica represents the Junior Soccer Club in Northern Tasmania Junior Soccer Association committee meetings, helping to encourage larger clubs to provide additional training for George Towns Junior teams. She and others helped raise $30,000, which helped purchase equipment for the club and support 6 players and their families with cost of representing football on the mainland. She also provides time volunteering to help organise community events ran by the George Town Neighbourhood House. One being the New Years Eve Extravaganza, in where she assists with operational and administrative tasks. Unfortunately, Jessica couldn’t attend the event due to commitments to the Junior Soccer Club, but Steve McGregor who nominated Jessica, came up and received the award on her behalf.

Carmen Bowkett was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award (over 10 years). For her dedication to volunteering in various roles within the Weymouth community. Following in her father’s footsteps offering assistance in advertising, providing food and drinks at local cricket games, and the clean-up duties. She sources prizes for the local events and maintains the local ‘street library’, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact.

Paul Gale won the 2024 Lifetime Volunteer Service Award (over 20 years). After retiring in 1998, he has served as the Treasurer for multiple organisations in George Town. These include ‘George Town Online’, an organisation aiming to provide internet access to the community, the ‘Health and Welfare Committee’, offering aqua therapy and exercise classes for seniors, and the ‘George Town Neighbourhood House Inc’. Currently he holds the role of president at the George Town Neighbourhood House, where he utilises his experience in engineering, which helped the planning of the ‘Community Craft Centre’ at the Neighbourhood House. Paul was also recognised for his unwavering dedication over three decades at the George Town Yacht Club and was honoured with a life membership.