The City of Casey was proud to acknowledge the hard work of some of Casey’s residents at the 2018 Casey Volunteer Awards last Friday night. From left are; Volunteer from Casey North Community Information Support Service (CNCISS) Graham Dodd, Michelle and Kerrigan La-Brooy, Janet Sirinyan from CNCISS, Dot O’Neil and Elaine Turner from Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support, Lana Scholten and Raymond Rickards.
The City of Casey held the 2018 Casey Volunteer Awards on Friday evening where it recognised the hard work of both individuals and organisations throughout Casey.
Raymond Rickards was announced as the recipient of the 2018 Casey Individual Volunteer Award on Friday 27 July, for his long-standing commitments with the CFA.
Mr Rickards, who is also a member of the Hampton Park Men’s Shed, has volunteered for more than 57 years and has held several positions within the CFA.
He also facilitated the Fire Safe Kid’s Program; delivering this service into schools, kindergartens and child care centres throughout Hampton Park.
Lana Scholten received the Casey Young Volunteer Award for her commitment to Pearcedale Girl Guides and Guides Australia. Through this, she has coordinated weekly meetings, as well as camps and special events for seven to 15-year-olds.
The Casey Volunteering Pair Award was received by Kerrigan and Michelle La-Brooy, for the support they provide to homeless and disadvantaged residents. The husband and wife duo run a church, a food pantry, an opportunity shop, a children’s talent academy and an annual community event.
To continue the high calibre of award recipients, Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support were announced as recipients of the 2018 Casey Volunteer Group Award. The 98 committed volunteers that make up this group provide nutritious meals, friendship and support, to those who are marginalised within the broader Narre Warren community.
Finally, the 2018 Casey Volunteer Organisation Award was presented to Casey North Community Information Support Service (CNCISS). Well known throughout Casey, CNCISS provide information and crisis support for residents living in the northern half of the municipality.
The Casey Volunteer Awards acknowledge outstanding voluntary service from Casey residents.
This year, Council received a record number of nominations since the awards program began in 2000.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett said the volunteer awards play an important role in recognising the selfless work that makes the City of Casey such a liveable city.
"This years’ volunteers represent all sectors of volunteering in the Casey community, which is a testament to how our municipality is growing with people participating and connecting," he said.
"There is no shortage of people willing to volunteer in Casey, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for providing these essential services to our community."
For the next awards visit Casey Volunteer Awards or see below for more information on the award winners.
2018 Casey Individual Volunteer Award
Awarded to Raymond Rickards
After more than 57 years of service with the CFA, Ray is still going strong. Ray has held many positions over the years, including 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain and Chairperson. Since ceasing operational duties in 2014, Ray has facilitated the Fire Safe Kids program, delivering more than 20 sessions on home fire safety each year to schools, kinders and childcare centres in the Hampton Park area. This is a very important KPI for the Brigade and without Ray’s time and dedication to the Program, Fire Safe Kids would not run as efficiently as it does and reach as many children. Ray is also very active with the Hampton Park Men’s Shed, always going out of his way to recruit younger members.
2018 Casey Young Volunteer Award
Awarded to Lana Scholten
Lana has been a member of the Pearcedale Girl Guides and Guides Australia since she was 8 years old. She became a Junior leader as soon as she turned 14, organising weekly meetings, camps and special events for 7-15-year olds. Under her leadership, these girls have been able to enjoy camping and achieve their goals in a safe and secure environment. Lana has helped many young girls who have never camped or stayed away from home before to overcome their fears. When the time comes to go to school camp they go off happily, confident in the knowledge that they know what is involved. Lana has also attended all ANZAC Day ceremonies and Clean Up Australia events and has her sights set on becoming a Leader when she turns 18.
2018 Casey Volunteering Pair Award
Awarded to Kerrigan & Michelle La-Brooy
Kerrigan and Michelle La-Brooy are a husband and wife team who run a church, a food pantry, an opportunity shop, a children’s talent academy and an annual community event. They also have 6 primary school aged children. Every day, Kerrigan and Michelle volunteer their time to visit residents who are socially isolated and don’t have access to transport, including people who are homeless, single parents and people with a disability. They take free fresh food, clothing and other necessities and instil a sense of inclusion and wellbeing in the people they meet. This couple ensure that all members of the community feel valued, especially in difficult times, and help residents from diverse cultures interact with families they would otherwise not meet.
2018 Casey Volunteer Group Award
Awarded to Transit Soup Kitchen & Food Support
This group of 98 committed community volunteers seeks to engage and connect with people from all walks of life, providing nutritious meals, friendship and support to those who are marginalised and lonely within the broader Narre Warren community. Transit offers Food Support to those who are finding life tough and struggling financially. Volunteers cook 3-course meals two days a week for more than 200 people and provide a full breakfast once a month. Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support offers showers, access to a free laundry service, referrals to other services, donated clothing and other forms of personal support. Just as importantly, it provides a safe, welcoming and friendly environment in which people feel valued, respected and supported.
2018 Casey Volunteer Organisation Award
Casey North Community Information Support Service
Casey North CISS provides information and crisis support for residents living in the northern half of the City of Casey. A team or 25 volunteers, ranging in age from 22 to 79, provide over 6,000 hours of volunteer support a year. They each volunteer from half a day to 2 days every week in a range of duties, including greeting people at Reception, interviewing people in crisis, providing Emergency Relief, administering the No Interest Loans scheme and Tax Help Programs, and providing people vulnerable residents, including those at risk of homelessness and violence, with information and referral to CISS social workers and other agencies. Over a 12-month period, Casey North CISS volunteers distribute approximately $170,000 in emergency relief to those in financial hardship.
2018 Casey Individual Volunteer Award nominees
Ms Bao Zhou
Mr Bassir Qadiri
Mr Chad Bromley
Ms Chantelle Riordan
Mrs Christine Simper
Mrs Cindy Warren
Mr David Todd
Ms Diane Leak
Mr Edwin (Ed) Denny Price
Mrs Glenice King
Mr Greg Nicholls
Ms Guo Xu
Mr Hugh Matchett
Mr Ian Earle
Mrs Joan Heaton
Mr John Hardie
Mr Johno Boland
Mr Julan Suwanis
Ms Lana Cairns
Ms Lena Voronov
Mrs Linda Jones
Mrs Lorraine Ferrari
Mr Marty O'Connor
Mr Maurie Thiele
Mr Michael Moxey
Mr Mladen Krsman
Mr Morrie Hartman
Ms Nina Huang
Mrs Raman Bajwa
Mr Raymond Rickards
Mr Rob Ward
Ms Stephanie Panza
Mr Stephen Featherston
Mr Steven Worland
Ms Vanassa Gerdes
Mrs Vivienne Armstrong
2018 Casey Young Volunteer Award nominees
Miss Arnhie-Marie San Juan
Mr Billy O'Connor
Mr Dhee Wickramasinghe
Mr Farhad Sharif
Mr James Jukes
Miss Lana Scholten
Miss Michelle O'Hanrahan
Miss Mobaraka Hussaini
Mr Peter Halat
Mr Saurabh Jhanjee
Mr Travis Horan
Ms Vanessa Fuller
2018 Casey Volunteering Pair Award nominees
Mr Ben Bell and Mrs Amanda Bell
Mrs Christine Odgers and Mr Michael Odgers
Mr Darien Narain and Ms Karissa Narain
Ms Francesca Jackson and Ms Rose-Marie Osborn
Mr Kerrigan La-Brooy and Mrs Michelle La-Brooy
Mr Nader Saber Tehrani and Mr Rishad Fazal
Mrs Noreen Moore and Mr Barry Moore
Mrs Robyn Freeman and Mr Bob Freeman
Mrs Rosemary Savage and Ms Catherine Hunter and Ms Elizabeth Stockman
Miss Kaidi Warren and Mr Rhyan Warren
Ms Sue Johnston and Mr Paul Jones
2018 Casey Volunteer Group Award nominees
2nd Chance Cat Rescue
Bk 2 Basics Melbourne
Casey Coastal Villages Boomerang Bags
Cranbourne Lions Club
Endeavour Ministries Inc
Folk Uniting Night
Gethsemane Church Charity
Inner Wheel Club of Cranbourne
Lynbrook Stingers Netball Club
Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support
2018 Casey Volunteer Organisation Award nominees
Berwick & District Agricultural and Horticultural Society Inc.
Casey North Community Information and Support Service
Community Care Volunteer Transport Program
St John of God Berwick Hospital