Local Heroes Help Young And Old

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 15 July 2010

Kimberley Watt from Nowra, Jan Jones from Moss Vale and Diane Hinton from Bowral have all been nominated in this year's NRMA Helping People Awards for their outstanding contribution to the community.

Kimberley Watt has been nominated for a Community Volunteer Award for her work with the Nowra Youth Centre while Jan Jones and Diane Hinton have both been nominated for a Senior Volunteer Award. Jan Jones created the Rodmell Fund Charity to improve conditions for the elderly community living in aged care facilities across the region and Diane Hinton has volunteered for 20 years at the Highlands Community Centre (Stafford Cottage) in Bowral.

NRMA Director Alan Evans said NRMA launched the Helping People Awards in 2005 to shine a light on volunteers who rarely get recognised for their important community work.

"These ladies are inspiring examples of helping others and I encourage people to nominate a volunteer they know who also does amazing work," Mr Evans said.

Nowra Youth Centre Manager Ms Hanieh Turner said she nominated Kimberley for an award because she was an enthusiastic team player who always put others first.

"Kimberley gives up her time four days a week to run an events management program and cooking program which are both very popular," Ms Turner said. "Our service is able to provide a more diverse range of activities because of Kimberley's tireless commitment to our centre."

Mrs Jones's friend Joanne McGrath said she nominated Jan for an award because she worked extremely hard to raise awareness and support for Rodmell in the community.

"To raise funds Rodmell has provided seminars on palliative care, hearing problems and many other issues and aims to also provide tertiary scholarships for aged care nurses," Mrs McGrath said. "Jan's enthusiasm, humour and belief that things can be improved at the local level have inspired many people."

Third nominee, Diane Hinton was nominated by friend Sue Sainsbury who said Diane was one of life's quiet achievers and deserved some recognition.

"This year is Di's 20th year of volunteering every Monday morning at Highlands Community Centre (Stafford Cottage) in Bowral," Ms Sainsbury said. "She also volunteers at the hospital doing flowers and every single week at Vinnie in Mittagong where she is responsible for sorting all the donated books."

It's not too late to nominate someone you know who is a real Helping Hand. Volunteers can be nominated in one of the following award categories until Friday, 13 August 2010:

• Community Volunteer Award (age 25-59)
  
  Prize: A $1000 accommodation voucher to spend at one or more of NRMA's five Holiday Parks in NSW & QLD, plus a five-day Thrifty car hire voucher.
• Senior Volunteer Award (age 60+)
  
  Prize: Seven day holiday tour of Darwin and Kakadu for two adults including a trip on the Ghan and flights.
• Environmental Volunteer Award (age 25+)
  
  Prize: Five night holiday package to Travelodge Perth Hotel for two adults including flights.
• Young Volunteer Award (age 16- 24)
  
  Prize: Five night holiday package for two adults to Travelodge Brisbane including flights and a Three Park Fun Pass.

The four winners will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity they volunteer for, plus a great Australian getaway for two.

To nominate online visit 2010 NRMA Helping People Awards or pick up a nomination form at your local NRMA Office, Travelodge Hotel or NRMA Holiday Park. Phone (02) 8741 6638 for more information.

Contact Kimberly Rigby 0439 133 215