Victoria’s incredible volunteers have been celebrated at the 2024 Volunteering Awards.
The awards were presented at a ceremony in Melbourne on Tuesday, recognising eight volunteers who have made an invaluable contribution to the state.
Among them was Cherie McLean who received the prestigious Premier’s Volunteer of the Year Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award for her work in disaster affected communities across the state.
Serving as an Australian Red Cross Volunteer for more than 60 years, Cherie has worked on major disasters such as the 1983 Ash Wednesday and 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
Gather My Crew was named Volunteer Involving Organisation of the Year, in addition to receiving the Volunteering Innovation Award, for their work supporting people experiencing illness, crisis or life changing news.
Gather My Crew is a free digital based volunteer service, connecting people in need with volunteers standing ready to help. The service has offered more than 350,000 hours of assistance in local communities delivered by 55,000 volunteers.
Carers and Volunteers Minister Ros Spence congratulated the winners.
“Victoria’s volunteers are at the heart of our communities, dedicating their time to make a real difference to families and communities across the state,” she said.
Volunteering Victoria chief executive Geoff Sharp said the organisation was proud to be associated with the awards.
“Volunteering Victoria is honoured to partner with the Victorian Government to recognise all our finalists and winners for their generosity and vital work across the state, and to showcase the very best examples of being Victorian,” he said.
To read the profiles of each of the 2024 Volunteering Award recipients visit: volunteeringvictoria.org.au/events.
