Last weekend Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh hosted the inaugural Burt Volunteer Awards for 2017 at the Richard Rushton Community Centre in Gosnells.
During Volunteers Week, which ran from May 11 to May 17, Mr Keogh put out the call to all community, sporting, youth and seniors organisations operating in his electorate to nominate their best volunteers for the awards.
More than 35 people were nominated and more than 60 volunteers with families attended the first ever Burt Volunteer Awards presentation.
Bedfordale Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Lachlan Bormollini was awarded the Burt Youth Award for his work helping organise local events and assisting with hazard reduction burns and brigade duties.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church parishioner Heather Tangey was awarded the Helping Seniors award for her work providing support for senior members of the church and tending to the parish’s garden.
Willandra Little Athletics Club member Beth Kelly was awarded the Sports Award for her work helping children develop their mental and physical abilities for more than 39 years and Minnawarra Community House member Diana Lower was awarded the General Community Service Award for time volunteered as Minnawarra House’s resident chef hosting the coffee and muffin morning on Tuesdays.
Mr Keogh said volunteers were the lifeblood of the community and allowed community organisations and sporting associations to flourish in Burt.
“People don’t often realise how lost we would all be without the protection of volunteer firefighters, people volunteering to organise kids sports or to look after the elderly in our community,” he said.
“These are our community’s unsung heroes.”
Mr Keogh said he was inspired to create the awards as his way of thanking those who helped make the community a better place.
“Congratulations go to all those nominated and the winners,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to nominate their favourite volunteers for next years awards.”
Mr Keogh said the volunteers and community groups represented at the awards show was the true spirit of the community in the electorate of Burt.
