A volunteer with the Celebral Palsy Alliance and who also assisted families in the immediate aftermath of the Bali Bombing has been named the 2017 Mid-North Coast region volunteer of the year winner.
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Meg Cameron was also named the adult volunteer of the year.
The winners in the awards, hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, were announced on August 21 at The Westport Club.
Ms Cameron says she is very humbled by the award.
“Volunteering is just part of my life,” she said. “I found (working with children with celebral palsy) very interesting and rewarding.
“Since starting with them just 12 months ago, I have decided to go back and learn OT (occupational therapy) so I can help them even more.
“I feel quite good about volunteer and really enjoy it. I would recommend volunteering to anyone.
“At the end of the day, you are doing something for the community, to help the community and make the world a little bit better.
“So while it is difficult and it is challenging, it is also very rewarding. And I do think that the parents of these little kids are appreciate about what we are doing for them.”
While she was stunned to win the regional award, Ms Cameron said she was also proud to have helped at the Bali hospital in the immediate aftermath of the 2002 bombing.
At the end of the day, you are doing something for the community, to help the community and make the world a little bit better.
- Meg Cameron
“I worked at the hospital for three days and eventually joined the international relief effort to ensure families affected by bombing were looked after,” she said.
Celebral Palsy Alliance team leader Nina Minter and senior volunteer coordinator Angela Dives praised Ms Cameron for her caring nature toward children.
“She is one of those people that you can ring anytime and she is more than happy to turn up to give us an extra pair of hands,” Ms Minter said.
“Nothing is too difficult.”
Ms Dives described her award-winning volunteer as being able to work with families at sometimes stressful times.
“I think our families really value what Meg contributes,” Ms Dives said. “It can be very stressful when children arrive for therapy. But the kids respond to her well and the families can relate to Meg quite easily.”
Award category winners
Overall Winner Volunteer of the Year and adult volunteer of the year – Meg Cameron
Youth Volunteer of the Year (up to 24 years) – Hayley King
Senior Volunteer of the Year (65+ years) – Evan Cunningham
Volunteer Team of the Year – Lifeline Mid Coast Telephone Crisis Support Training Team
The Centre of Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate praised Ms Cameron, and each category winner, on their award.
“The Volunteer of the Year Awards recognise the nation working hard at a grassroots level to deliver resilient and compassionate communities," Ms Rygate said.