Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate community achievers

The TAD Disability Services volunteer won the Mid North Coast 2016 Volunteer of the Year Award as well as the Senior Volunteer of the Year.

Mr Brumby said he was a little overwhelmed at the honour.

“I’m very humbled at receiving this award considering all the other groups and their inputs,” he said.

Mr Brumby said the award would help bring TAD to the fore.

TAD Disability Services changes lives by providing personalised equipment for people living with a disability.

The Port Macquarie group also supports the Freedom Wheels modified bike program for children.

Mid-North Coast volunteers were recognised for their outstanding contribution during the 10th annual Volunteer of the Year Awards at The Westport Club on September 12.

Centre for Volunteering chief executive officer Gemma Rygate said volunteers improved people's lives by helping out, keeping people connected and creating a sense of belonging in communities.

Ms Rygate said John worked individually with a range of experts to help nut-out a bespoke solution for every person he assisted.

"John is also the lead coordinator for TAD in Port Macquarie, actively seeking support from business and recruiting and training other volunteers, helping to expand the services they can offer to the community,” she said.

Camp Quality volunteer Mark Temple won the Adult Volunteer of the Year Award.

Mr Temple said he loved Camp Quality.

“I don’t think I could live without my Camp Quality family,” he said.

“It’s a family, it really is.”

Mr Temple said he was grateful for the award but there were many good volunteers and a lot of work being done.

The Student Heart Project took out the Volunteer Team of the Year.

The initiative connects students and the broader community, and raises money for defibrillators in the community.

The Student Heart Project’s Daniel Steinbeck said the award was humbling and it highlighted the importance of the initiative.

“It gives us a bit of added legitimacy,” he said.

Preparations are under way for the next Red and Blue Ball fundraiser on October 14.