His words again ring true this year with most of the major awards in the 2025 Centre for Volunteering Awards in this LGA going to Pittwater residents.
Whale Beach Surf life saver and Avalon resident Mirek Craney was named the 2025 Northern Beaches Volunteer of the Year, for his decades long work running ocean swim events to raise money for vital cancer research through the Can Too charity.
Mr Craney was also recognised as the Senior Volunteer of the Year on Friday August 29 at Dee Why RSL Club as part of the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Close to 100 recipients of other individual and team awards were also announced, including the inaugural Emergency Volunteer of the Year.
Young Volunteer of the Year: Holly Searles from Bilgola Plateau
Holly has been the driving force behind the successful Cricket Blast program for young players at the Peninsula Junior Cricket Club.
The young Manly cricketer gives her time each week during summer to lead fun, encouraging and supportive sessions. Her volunteer work helps young players learn about teamwork, training, and being a good sport.
Adult Volunteer of the Year: Adrian Hill from Narrabeen
When North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club needed both physical upgrades and a boost in volunteer support, Adrian, the club’s president, stepped up.
He’s tackled the challenge of declining volunteer numbers by introducing innovative programs that have attracted younger members to the club. His determination has also put the club on track for a new state-of-the-art facility that will benefit the entire community.
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Adrian Hill, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater
Senior Volunteer of the Year: Mirek Craney from Avalon Beach
For fifteen years, Mirek has made a significant contribution to cancer charity Can Too’s fitness programs, which help people set ambitious fitness challenges for themselves, while raising much needed funds for research.
He is also an active member of Whale Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, keeping people safe in the water and helping provide a valuable service for his local community in Pittwater.
Volunteer Team of the Year: Cerebral Palsy Alliance Dental Team
The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Dental Team consists of dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, an orthodontist, a paediatric dental specialist and a practice manager, who are dedicated to providing free, quality dental care for people of all ages with cerebral palsy.
The volunteer team goes above and beyond to make the experience comfortable for patients, ensuring better health and wellbeing outcomes.
Emergency Volunteer of the Year: Michael Gencher from Mona Vale
Michael Gencher's journey in Surf Life Saving began when his own life was saved by a volunteer surf lifesaver. That moment became the catalyst for a lifelong commitment to service, safety, and community, and he’s been an active patrolling member of Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club for over 30 years. Michael has volunteered thousands of hours including as a trainer, assessor, club vice president, and 24-hour emergency response member.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said in difficult times, volunteers often come forward to meet a crisis with compassion.
“Volunteers are the quiet force, whether helping ease cost of living pressures, supporting those in crisis or responding on the front line of floods, fires and emergencies,” Ms Rygate said.
“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.”
The NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie Harrison said:
“Congratulations to the recipients of the Northern beaches Volunteer of the Year Awards. You’ve been recognised as heroes by the people in your communities who know you best.
“Thank you for your ongoing contributions, which make New South Wales the best state to live and work in. These awards are an important way we recognise your passion and dedication to your local communities.
“The NSW Government is continuing to work with The Centre for Volunteering to build a more diverse and inclusive volunteering sector so that all our volunteers feel respected and acknowledged for their work.”
Northern Beaches volunteer award recipients will be invited to represent their region at the Gala State Ceremony at the end of the year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year is announced across each category.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering to help promote and support volunteering across NSW.
They are now in their 19th year and celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
This Issue a few more of those who have been recognised in this year's awards for their outstanding contributions to our community.
Photos: provided by and courtesy of The Centre for Volunteering
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Adult Nominee - Darren Read, Peninsula Junior Cricket Club, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater
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Adult Nominee - Michelle Puhl, Disaster Relief Australia, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater. Readers will recall Michelle is a member of the Warringah Pittwater SES unit and won the Champion of Change Award at the NSW SES International Women's Day Awards(delayed due to operational activity with TC Alfred). "Michelle has brought a level of fun and enthusiasm while leading a variety of activities which has led to significantly increased participation and interest in the unit".
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Adult Nominee - Mark Powell, Gig Buddies, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater. The Gig Buddies team matches and pairs a volunteer and an adult with a mild to moderate learning disability and/or autism.
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Adult Nominee - Sara Naqase, Disaster Relief Australia, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater.
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Adult Nominee - Tom Morris, Acts of Kindness Community Outreach, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater. There were several members who received a nomination for volunteering with Acts of Kindness Community Outreach, in the Adult and Youth category. Others were: Ruth Ferrington (Adult) pictured below, Melissa Cooper (adult) pictured below, Nirvana Morris (Youth), Isabelle Morris (Youth), James Cooper (Youth).
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Ruth Ferrington
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Melissa Cooper
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Adult Nominee - Deidre McAlinden, Narrabeen SLSC, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater.
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Adult Nominee - Paul Griffiths, Aboriginal Heritage Office, pictured here with Jacqui Scruby, MP for Pittwater.
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Senior Nominee - Gloria Bradley, Manly-Warringah Stamp Club, North-Side Stamp Fair, and Taronga Zoos, pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Senior Nominee - Bob Tyrell, MWP Community Care, pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Senior Nominee - Sandra May, Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch, pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Senior Nominee - Sue Moore, The Village Chef (Meals on Wheels), pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Senior Nominee - Margaret Murden, StreetWork Australia, pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Senior Nominee - Christine Portus, MWP Community Care, pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Senior Nominee - Ann Sawtell, One Meal, pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Senior Nominee - Graham Whittaker, NSW Justices Association, pictured here with Dr. Sophie Scamps, MP for Mackellar
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Emergency Nominee - Paul Ducker, Surf Life Saving NSW, pictured here with James Griffin, MP for Manly
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Emergency Nominee - Dale Ferrington, Surf Life Saving NSW, pictured here with James Griffin, MP for Manly
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Emergency Nominee - Bilgola SLSC's Craig Poppleton, Surf Life Saving NSW, pictured here with James Griffin, MP for Manly
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Emergency Nominee - NSW SES Manly Unit, an older and younger member pictured here with James Griffin, MP for Manly
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Emergency Nominee - Marine Rescue NSW State Operations Centre (at Terrey Hills) December Team volunteer members pictured here with James Griffin, MP for Manly
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NSW SES Warringah Pittwater Duty Officers - Nominees in the Volunteer Team category,
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Team Nominee - Acts of Kindness Community Outreach, with Isabelle Morris (Youth) holding the certificate and Nirvana Morris (Youth), and James Cooper (Youth) to her left - based in Warriewood now - pictured with Matt Cross, MP for Davidson