Celebrating Wimmera volunteers
Aweekly community fun run designed to get Horsham district people engaged and involved through physical activity captured the spotlight during regional volunteer awards.
Wimmera River parkrun, operating on the back of a dedicated team of volunteers, clinched an overall leading volunteer organisation-program category at 2019 Volunteering Recognition Awards.
The program’s success was among many highlights of dinner presentations at Horsham Town Hall that celebrated volunteers and volunteering across the Wimmera-mallee.
Wimmera River parkrun, at 8am on Saturday morning from Sawyer Park, started in August last year and has attracted a total of 760 runners, with an average weekly attendance of 102.8.
It is part of a international parkrun movement, is open to anyone to walk, run or jog, free of charge and completely run and co-ordinated by volunteers.
Wimmera River parkrun’s Candy Muszkieta said the organisation committee was ‘stoked’ with the recognition.
“We thought there was need in the
community and this just proves she said.
“It’s a nice little pat on the back. Not that you require it or want it, but it’s nice that we have the recognition.”
ACE Radio Broadcasters chairman Rowly Paterson presented the award on behalf of The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX it,” FM, which sponsored the event. The Wimmera River parkrun also won a community health award, which recognised a program or event that promoted and supported the health or wellbeing of the community through volunteer activity.
It was also nominated for a people’s choice award.
The people’s choice category went to Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning Network’s MATES Mentoring program.
The award reflected on more than 100 volunteers across the region that commit an hour a fortnight to help support children through positive role-model activities.
Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN executive officer Tim Shaw said the program could not exist without volunteers.
“That’s what makes this award so special,” he said.
“People give their time willingly to guide and support young people and encourage them to stay in school, which is really important.”
Friday night’s celebrations also included a variety of other awards and individual accolades.
Jessica Pilgrim of Nhill won a young volunteer award, Zack Currie a new resident award and Jess Pendlebury a kinship and foster carer award.
Award winners also reflected the diverse nature of volunteer activities across the region.
Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre captured attention, as did Wimmera Pride Project, West Wimmera Health Service’s SPARK Program, Warracknabeal Urban Fire Brigade and Landcare individuals, groups and projects.
Centre for Participation chief executive Julie Pettett said the breadth of finalists represented ‘only a tip of the iceberg’ of volunteering activities across the region.
“It was a fantastic night. It really highlights the amazing difference that volunteering makes,” she said.