2006 Volunteer Awards

(Left to Right) Ms Angelique Vongsaya, Mr Bawa Singh Jagdev, Mr Sam Nguyen, Leader of the House, New South Wales Parliament, John Aquilina, Mr Gary Taylor, Mr Besir Kerasu and CRC Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian

Profiles of the 2006 CRC Volunteer Award Winners

Mr Sam Nguyen and Leader of the House, New South Wales Parliament, John Aquilina

Mr Sam Nguyen – 2006 CRC Community Service Award

Sam Nguyen has contributed enormously to the wellbeing of the disadvantaged elderly members of the community particularly the Vietnamese Community by volunteering with the St Vincent de Paul Society and more recently at the Vietnamese Senior Association of the Canterbury Inc.

Using unique practices, Sam has also actively engaged young people through martial arts and as a Vice- President of the Lakemba Sorts Club has coached them in cricket and soccer, thereby facilitating social cohesion and harmony.

Having once been a refugee himself, Sam has assisted the Indochinese Refugee Community in their resettlement in Australia. Through his involvement in the Australian/Vietnamese Prisoners Welfare Association, Canterbury Multicultural Youth Service and Multicultural Advisory Council for Canterbury Hospital, Sam has been at the forefront in providing support to his community through his exemplary volunteer efforts.

Ms Angelique Vongsaya and Leader of the House, New South Wales Parliament, John Aquilina

Ms Malikham Angelique Vongsaya – 2006 CRC Young Volunteer Award

Angelique was nominated in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the Lao Community. As a youth conveyor of the Lao Community Advancement (NSW) Cooperative Limited, Angelique has organised many community events which showcased the culture of the Lao Community and was successful in setting up sustainable youth projects such as Saturday sporting activities and Homework Tutoring Programme.

Angelique has used her exceptional oratory skills to consistently advocate for the Lao community’s settlement issues, employment needs and youth issues. She has also successfully gained funding to implement projects that aimed to meet the needs of the community.

Angelique has demonstrated excellent leadership skills and is a role model for young people in her community as well as the wider community. Through her participation in cultural performances, Angelique has actively promoted the unique Lao culture to her fellow Australians.

Mr Gary Taylor and Leader of the House, New South Wales Parliament, John Aquilina

Mr Gary Taylor – 2006 CRC Volunteer of the Year Award

Displaying courage and maturity as a 12 year old when he rescued a child from drowning, Gary Taylor has retained that heroism as an adult, working with kids from the Villawood Detention Centre and running a weekly Child Protection Programme that promoted their wellbeing.

Gary has established many programmes targeting children and youth including the “Kids for Kids” Programme and the Australian League of Immigration Volunteers (ALIV). With passion and commitment, Gary built ALIV to an organisation with 300 volunteers and has run developmental, education and fun programmes for kids from the Baxter Immigration Detention Centre, Villawood Detention Centre and Port Augusta Housing Project, as well as those on the temporary Bridging Visa E.

His initiatives extended support to the adults in the camps by engaging them in English classes and recreational nights that has had a remarkable impact on their mental and physical health.

Gary has constantly strived to pass on his skills in developing and running volunteer programmes to other aspiring young people, providing inspiration and mentoring, leaving a lasting impact on the community that will extend well into the future.

Mr Besir Kerasu and Leader of the House, New South Wales Parliament, John Aquilina

Mr Besir Kerasu – 2006 CRC Lifetime Achievement in Community Sector

Besir has devoted much of his adult life to the service of the Turkish community having worked as a volunteer relentlessly for the last 24 years. He successfully raised funds for the Turkish House, a centre which provides services and provides space for the community to develop social networks, hold community events and educational programmes.

A committed member of the community, Besir has provided help, support and guidance to his community, earning the recognition and respect of not only the Turkish Community but also the community at large.

Mr Bawa Singh Jagdev and Leader of the House, New South Wales Parliament, John Aquilina

Mr Bawa Singh Jagdev - 2006 CRC Lifetime Achievement in Community Sector

Through single minded dedication, Bawa Singh Jagdev has contributed immensely to his community ever since his arrival in Australia in 1975. Through sheer persistence Bawa developed many educational, religious and cultural programmes for the Sikh community by employing a holistic attitude. He was instrumental in establishing the first religious place of worship for the Sikh community as well as the weekend language schools.

Other significant work undertaken by Bawa for his community involves providing free meals for the community, establishing a free meditation area and organising many cultural and sporting events. His voluntary work has served not only people of Sikh background but also those of Muslim, Hindu and Christian backgrounds. Bawa has also built the capacity of his community by recruiting new volunteers and developing skills in them to assist the Sikh Community.