By Georgia FreeThursday 6 Jun 2024Hope DriveNewsReading Time: 2 minutes
Is there someone in your life or workplace that deserves recognition for their work?
Key points
- Leanne started volunteering with Victims and Witnesses of Crime Court Support (VWCCS) after she retired in 2010.
- “I’ve actually got more out of the volunteering I think than I’ve given,” Leanne said.
- Listen to the full conversation in the player above.
Nominations for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now open.
NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year for 2023, Leanne Hillman, joined Hope Drive to discuss her work with victims and witnesses of crime, and the importance of volunteer recognition.
Leanne started volunteering with Victims and Witnesses of Crime Court Support (VWCCS) after she retired in 2010. The organisation provides support in a court setting for victims and witnesses appearing in court by providing information and attending court with them.
“Originally when I retired, I was working with people with an intellectual disability in the court system,” Leanne said and explained that while she was working there she saw an ad for the volunteer position at VWCCS.
Leanne started volunteering with Victims and Witnesses of Crime Court Support (VWCCS) after she retired.
“It’s about being able to give back to the community and actually play a positive role particularly in the justice area.”
Leanne has since moved into a management role within the organisation – as a volunteer.
“For me, I’ve actually got more out of the volunteering I think than I’ve given,” she said.
Leanne encourages everyone to nominate volunteers for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2024.
“It’s so important I think for the role of volunteers to be formally recognised.
“Volunteers don’t do the work for actually receiving that [recognition] but it’s such a positive role that people can play if they nominate a team or an individual who they’ve seen dedicate their time and effort to the needs of others,” she said.
“I’ve actually got more out of the volunteering I think than I’ve given,” Leanne said.
“I would strongly recommend that people give some thought to the volunteers that they know of in their local area, in the organisations they’re involved with.”
Nominations are now open for 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. There are eight categories to choose from. Nominations close Friday 14th of June, 5pm.
More info: 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards – The Centre for Volunteering
Listen to the full conversation in the player above.
Feature image: Photos of Leanne Hillman supplied by Salty Dingo