Devoted volunteers from the Western Plains are off to the 2024 NSW Volunteers of the Year Awards on 10 December after winning the Orana Volunteers of the Year Awards earlier this year.

This includes the Warrumbungle Community Care Team who won the Orana Volunteer Team of the Year and Anton Dieck from the Gilgandra State Emergency Services (SES) unit who won the Orana Young Volunteer of the Year Award. 

 The volunteers are up against finalists from 25 regions. 

Four people from the Warrumbungle Community Care team will be heading to Sydney to represent the around 20 volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting elderly and disabled residents. 

The representatives include Acting General Manager Lindsay Mason, Children's and Community Services Manager Ngaire Stevens, and two additional staff from the Warrumbungle Shire. 

Ms Stevens said they are excited to have been nominated. 

"We held a ceremony on 11 November to give all the volunteers certificates for winning Orana Volunteer Team of the Year."

The Warrumbungle Community Care team also runs Meals on Wheels and helps bring elderly and disabled residents to appointments and to do shopping. 

"Our volunteers are a very big part of what we do with our community care and it's lovely that they've been honoured."

Mr Dieck joined the Gilgandra SES team as a 16-year-old in 2022, helping to respond to call-outs during storms, road crashes and other incidents. 

He has completed qualifications in Flood Boat Crew Member Flood Rescue Awareness, and Industrial, Domestic, and Road Crash Rescue and won the NSW SES Young Volunteer of the Year Award.

 Anton Dieck holding the NSW SES Young Volunteer of the Year Award in August. Photo: NSW SES.

“Volunteers across the Orana region are an important part of this incredible effort. We wish the Orana Volunteer of the Year finalists the very best for the state awards," Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said. 

“More than four million people volunteer each year across NSW, contributing a staggering $178 billion in social and economic benefits.

“Most importantly we thank all the volunteers across the region for their selfless and remarkable contribution," Ms Rygate said. 

Over 200 volunteers will attend the gala night in Sydney.