Congratulations to our 2023 Stonnington Volunteer Awards recipients!
On Wednesday, 25 October, the City of Stonnington celebrated the many passionate volunteers in our community who dedicate their time to helping others at the Stonnington Volunteer Awards 2023.
The awards celebrate people and community groups whose commitment to volunteering makes a difference to our local community, positively impacts the lives of others and makes our city a better place to live. All winners and nominees were presented with a certificate.
Award winners
The Mayor’s Award
Gary Johnston, Rotary Club, Malvern
Gary has been involved in community service for more than 40 years. He has been President of Rotary Club Malvern on more than one occasion, providing strong leadership in this role, and has assisted in keeping the club a viable community option.
He has participated in numerous community events, including being involved in the original Pets in the Park initiative with Council. As Treasurer of Rotary Club Malvern, Gary played a part in the acquisition of several residences for homeless single-parent families, usually from violent relationships. The Avalon Centre had one property a couple of years ago, and now has eight.
Community Group
Uniting Op Shop, Prahran
The Uniting Op Shop Prahran Volunteers have made an outstanding contribution to the Stonnington community. They are a vibrant group who bring a diversity of skills to the Op Shop. Their ages range from under 18 to more than 80 years and they are enthusiastic about assisting customers and providing a welcoming space to all. They are generous with their time and not only support the organisation, but also support one another and bring joy and happiness to the Op Shop.
Community Service Award
Kang-Yi Marinis, Korean Seniors Group
Kang-Yi has a passion for supporting her local Korean Seniors Group. With more than 40 years of dedicated service within the Korean community, she has lent her support to various causes. Her involvement has extended to places like Meals on Wheels and early childcare, where her contributions have made a significant difference.
Arts and Culture Award
Damir Kalajdzic, Sevdalinka Choir
Damir has been a member of the Sevdalinka Choir since it was established in 2004; first as a singer and then as conductor from 2009-2018. He developed the choir’s distinctive artistic and cultural identity, which embraces the traditional and contemporary heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2022, he returned as conductor to lead the choir through several performances, including the touching tribute to former conductor Amir Bukic. Damir’s leadership and strength kept the choir alive.
Environmental Sustainability Award
Rewilding Stonnington
Since its formation in 2020, Rewilding Stonnington Inc has made an outstanding contribution to the Stonnington community by welcoming volunteers aged 18 plus to help revegetate public land including railway stations, nature strips and pocket parks.
It encourages residents and visitors to Stonnington to see their local area in new ways, connecting with its pre-colonial heritage and forming a renewed sense of community as environmental custodians.
Sports Award
Joanne Delaney, Blind sports
Since starting out as a volunteer scorer in 1978 with the Victorian Blind Cricket Association in Kooyong at the age of 21, Joanne has helped improve the efficiency of blind sports associations and participation in blind sports in a range of volunteer roles.
Through Joanne’s extraordinary commitment of time, passion and dedication, she has been an exemplary role model, including to other sighted volunteers at blind cricket and blind golf.
Her constant desire to build confidence in players, while also supporting blind sports organisations at the administrative level, has helped lead to higher participation levels. Joanne has also helped to facilitate the growth and sustainability of blind sports organisations through volunteering.
Young Person Award
Nathaneal Siow, Prahran Youth Hub
Nate has been volunteering at the Prahran Youth Hub since 2020 through the Father Bob Maguire Foundation.
He works with young children who participate in STEAM sessions at the Hub. He helps the children develop knowledge and skills such as electronics and how to be safe with electricity. During the COVID years from 2020-2021, Nate packed special play items that included resources for home-based STEAM activities for the children so they could keep learning and food from the Father Bob Food pantry warehouse in South Melbourne for families in need.
Young Person Commendation
Harriet Syme, Very Special Kids
Harriet has clocked up more than 300 hours volunteering at Very Special Kids. She supports events and fundraisers such as the annual fair and the 23-hour Treadmill Challenge, where she dresses up and entertains the kids. Through dressing up in fun costumes, whether as a pig or a dinosaur, Harriet has brought a lot of joy to the children.
Nominees
Adam Grinholz, Alex Dugdale, Andrew Marmont, Boris Feldmann, Cheryl Wood, Danni Miller, Deanne McLean, Dylan Charles, Elizabeth Brown, Father Bob Foundation, Helen Robbins, Honor Pangrazio, Jen Lwin, Laurence Hardy, Love our Street 3146, Mary Thomas, Mira Pinhasovich, Nino Pangrazio, Panayiota Nasopoulos, Paul Kessell, Raj Pillay, Reconciliation Stonnington, Sandra Beauchamp, Sid Seth, Sonia Goubran and Tsilina Rozin.
