Cobar's Pearl Blackman was overseas when she heard she had been chosen as the Young Volunteer of the Year for the Orana region. 

‘’I was competing in cross country events in the US which was an incredible and amazing experience," she said just after her return home. 

‘’Someone mentioned a Cobar person won a volunteering award and then I was surprised to find out it was me.  

"I was too busy at the time for it to sink in properly.  

"I volunteer because I like helping people, so I wasn’t after awards for doing it, but it's an honour.’’ 

She was still away when the awards were handed out in Dubbo last weekend. 

The citation from the judges said, ‘’The Cobar High School student and cross-country runner gives her time at the student council, supporting student health and well-being programs, the Little Athletics and Show Girl Committees and many other programs and events.’’ 

The 17-year-old thrives being a leader and is on the Student Council.  

She says being at a small school means you have to pitch in and help, with one of her big missions being to continue to help other students with their mental health.  

‘’There are many issues for youth here, and there aren’t the opportunities for us, so we try to connect and talk about what we can do in the future to improve things,’’ she said. 

Pearl is also part of the Cobar Show Society, particularly enjoying helping out with Rural Woman of the Year. 

‘’It is fun to be involved with arranging everything from the flowers to the interviews with the candidates,’’ she said. 

Jamie Chaffey MP (centre) with other Volunteers awarded on the night in Dubbo. [IMAGE: NSW Centre for Volunteering]

Organising and managing events is already Pearl's dream job.  

‘’I am working with Council at the museum and tourism information centre and when I finish my HSC I would love to study and get work full-time in events management organising big events,’’ she said. 

Cobar Council General Manager Peter Vlatko has no doubt that Pearl will be successful at whatever she puts her mind to, ‘’The council and community are so proud of her it was no surprise to me she was awarded.’’ 

Pearl will now head to Sydney for the NSW finals in December, along with the other Orana award winners: multicultural leader Ramesh Sharma (Volunteer of the Year), grief counsellor Kerry Frost (Senior Volunteer of the Year), ambulance volunteer Christopher Milne (Emergency Volunteer of the Year) and the National Association for Loss and Grief (Volunteer Team of the Year). 

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said of volunteers, “Their dedication isn’t just admirable; it underpins a more resilient and compassionate society.

"These exceptional individuals give selflessly - often while juggling careers, study, and family life - yet they still choose to show up for others when it matters most.”