Eleven hard-working residents were congratulated for their selfless accomplishments in the community at the Hunter Volunteer Awards at Cessnock today.
And, among the awardees on 27 November included Cessnock LGA quartet – Maxine Baird (Strive for Autism), Dorothy Heath and Wendy Thompson (Lower Hunter RFS), and Claude Aliotti (Wollombi Arts Council Inc); Lake Macquarie trio – Brittany Mather (Alesco Senior College), Anne Southam (Macquarie Shores Swimming Club) and Richard Brissenden (Southlakes Incorporated); Muswellbrook’s Anne Mason (Penguin Garden Club and U3A), organisation Lioness Club of Muswellbrook; and Singleton duo Brett Wild (Central Hunter Business Chamber) and Chris Giles (Singleton PCYC).
A successful yearly event, Friday’s volunteers were nominated by their peers who believed their tireless efforts are worthy of formal recognition.
The Hunter Volunteer Awards was attended by a smaller crowd in 2020 due to COVID-19, including Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent and Singleton deputy mayor Tony Jarrett.
“In what has been a difficult year for many, never has there been a time where we have had to rely so heavily on volunteers in our community,” Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon said.
“Recognising our local volunteers and being proud of their selflessness is important and serves as a way to say ‘thank you’ and that we appreciate your untiring work.
“Although it was a smaller crowd, courtesy of coronavirus safety protocols, the appreciation and gratitude from the community is no less.
“I would also like to thank those who took the time to submit their nominations to ensure our local volunteers are recognised.”
2020 Hunter Volunteer Awardees
| Name | Organisation | LGA |
| Maxine Baird | Strive for Autism | Cessnock |
| Dorothy Heath | Lower Hunter RFS | Cessnock |
| Wendy Thompson | Lower Hunter RFS | Cessnock |
| Claude Aliotti | Wollombi Arts Council Inc | Cessnock |
| Brittany Mather | Alesco Senior College | Lake Macquarie |
| Anne Southam | Macquarie Shores Swimming Club | Lake Macquarie |
| Richard Brissenden | Southlakes Incorporated | Lake Macquarie |
| Lioness Club of Muswellbrook | Muswellbrook | |
| Anne Mason | Penguin Garden Club and U3A | Muswellbrook |
| Brett Wild | Central Hunter Business Chamber | Singleton |
| Chris Giles | Singleton PCYC | Singleton |
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