On Thursday 22 June 2023, Volunteering Waikato - Te Ohu Tuuao o Waikato hosted the 2023 Volunteer Excellence Awards. These awards are held during National Volunteer Week and celebrate volunteers in our communities. This year a record number of nominations were received and Volunteering Waikato thanks all volunteers in our communities, congratulates all nominees and recognises the following recipients of the winner, runner up and commendation awards:
EVENT VOLUNTEER
Celebrating individuals volunteering at an event in 2022, with prizes sponsored by New Zealand National Fieldays Society
Winner: NICKY JOHNSEN, Volunteer Team Leader, nominated by Special Olympics Waikato
Commendation: Alan Sharp, Coordinator, nominated by New Zealand National Fieldays Society
Commendation: Peter Stone, Coordinator, nominated by The Refugee Orientation Trust
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER
Celebrating individual volunteers aged 26 or over with prizes sponsored by First Credit Union
Winner: ROBERT BAILEY, Volunteer Ambulance Officer and Committee member, nominated by The Order of St John
Runner Up: Shepherd Isaac, Community Volunteer, nominated by Hamilton City Council - Parks and Recreation
Commendation: Wendy Walmsley, Counselling Support Volunteer & Branch Treasurer, nominated by Pregnancy Counselling Services - Hamilton
LONG SERVICE VOLUNTEER
Celebrating individual volunteers with 20+ years volunteering experience with prizes sponsored by Seasons Magazine.
Winner: VALERIE RAMAGE, Community and Volunteer Coordinator, nominated by Blind Low Vision NZ
Runner Up: George Capper, Volunteer Committee Member, nominated by Victoria Battery Tramway Society
TEAM VOLUNTEER
Celebrating Teams of 2 or more volunteers with prizes sponsored by McCaw Lewis, Craigs Investment Partners and Volunteering New Zealand - The Big Shout Out
Winner: PORT WAIKATO VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE, nominated by Port Waikato Residents and Ratepayers Association
Runner Up: Te Kooraha Marae, nominated by Ngaa Uri o Te Kooraha Marae
Commendation: Thames Meals on Wheels, nominated by Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand - Waikato
Commendation: EquiPotential Volunteers, nominated by EquiPotential New Zealand
Commendation: IHC Volunteer Programme Hamilton, nominated IHC New Zealand
YOUTH VOLUNTEER
Celebrating individual volunteers aged 25 or under with prizes sponsored by Taka and Ngarui Wihongi and Volunteering New Zealand - The Big Shout Out
Winner: SAMANTHA CAUGHEY, Therapy Horse Helper, nominated by EquiPotential New Zealand
Runner Up: Beth Allwood, Project Support and Administration Volunteer, nominated by Student Volunteer Army
Commendation: Adam Cox, Support Group Facilitator Volunteer, nominated by Evolve Peer Support Trust
Congratulations again to all 2023 Volunteer Excellence Awards nominees and Award recipients.
Photos will soon be posted on Volunteering Waikato's Facebook and Instagram pages.
