2010 Volunteer Awards

02.12.2010

The Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally, and the Minister for Citizenship, John Hatzistergos, attended the official awards ceremony at the New South Wales Parliament House on Thursday 2nd of December to announce the winners of the 2010 Community Relations Commission Awards for Volunteering.

The Premier congratulated all of those who were nominated for their selfless and tireless contributions who make a positive difference to our society.

Community Service Award

Mr Robin Margo SC - Winner

Mr Robin Margo SC is recognised for his significant role in strengthening understanding and promoting mutual trust between the NSW Jewish and Muslim Communities.

Robin has served for many years in leadership positions within the Jewish community and he has been instrumental in broadening and strengthening relationships between the Jewish community and our diverse communities in NSW – in particular in building trust and fostering interfaith and intercultural cooperation.

Robin has facilitated constructive discussions on a range of human rights and social justice issues amongst the Jewish community.

Robin was instrumental in establishing the Sydney Alliance, a broad based coalition of unions, faith and civic organizations which are dedicated to the advancement of civil society, and he remains actively involved in his role as a Director of the Alliance.

 

Young Volunteer Award

Ms Tshibanda Gracia Ngoy - Winner

Ms Tshibanda Gracia Ngoy is recognised for her extraordinary voluntary work and in particular the assistance she provides to members of the refugee community through the resettlement process and in educating the broader community on these issues.

Since her arrival in Australia in 2005 at 14 years of age, Tshibanda has become a role model for her peers. Tshibanda works tirelessly to educate the broader community about the reality of life and the many challenges faced by refugees in Australian society.

Thsibanda is an active volunteer with the Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families – also known as ‘SCARF’ – and she is passionate about helping young people to reach their full potential.

Thsibanda runs self-esteem workshops and speaks at high schools and youth conferences throughout Australia to share her own life experiences and her journey of self improvement as a young refugee.

In doing, so, she continues to motivate young people - and many others within our community - who are inspired by her determination and energy to succeed on a personal level, as well as her commitment to making an active contribution to the Australian community and beyond.

Tshibanda is also a co-host on the VOX FM African radio program, in addition to being a member of the NSW Youth Parliament in 2008.

 

Volunteer of the Year Award

Ms Peggy Huang - Winner

Ms Peggy Huang is recognised for her passion in helping members of our community, and in particular, her active and committed service to a range of non-profit and volunteer committees.

Peggy designed, and subsequently received funding, for a program which provides young people with the opportunity to link in with the appropriate support services they require to improve their quality of life. 

Peggy is committed to helping people with special needs to achieve better health outcomes and she is an active volunteer member of the Canterbury Multicultural Youth Advisory Committee providing input into new community health programs and developing resources, including health service guides.

Peggy is also a regular volunteer at the Diabetes Australia Camp for children and parents and she regularly volunteers at health related events where she actively shares her knowledge and experience for the benefit of others.

Peggy has also been a member of the Canterbury Youth Council since 2002 where she has served in a number of leadership positions including President and Vice President. Peggy has been instrumental in moving the advisory committee forward, as well as engaging, motivating and training members to be involved in all aspects of service delivery.

In recognition of her service, Peggy was named the Canterbury City’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2010.

 Lifetime Achievement in Community Service Award

Mr John Gebhardt - Winner

Mr John Gebhardt is recognised for his commitment and extraordinary efforts on behalf of the multicultural community of NSW.

John has been a tireless advocate for the ethnic communities of Newcastle, the Hunter and the Illawarra and he has dedicated his life to helping some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

John has been a major support to refugees settling in the region and he has fought hard to progress important issues such as education, aged services and community development.

In March 2010, The Ethnic Community Centre at Waratah was renamed the John Gebhardt Centre, to recognize John’s outstanding contribution and support to the Newcastle and Hunter’s multicultural community.