Uniting volunteers recognised at Premier’s award ceremony

Published

February 12, 2018

Congratulations to all those who were recognised at the 2017 Victorians Premier’s Volunteer Champion Awards and particularly those who have an association with Uniting. We are delighted that Todd Jolly received a service award for his dedicated long-standing volunteer work at the Kangaroo Flat Emergency Relief Centre run by Uniting Bendigo.

Todd started volunteering ten years ago alongside his grandfather Don. He says that being able to work with his grandfather has been one of the highlights of volunteering. He’s the youngest team member at the centre where he works twice a week. That often means he has to support other volunteers with the heavy work whilst at the same time assisting in managing the store and collecting and sorting deliveries.

Todd’s gentle and kind nature has been a blessing to the centre as he always tries to put a smile on children’s faces. As Todd says himself, “the kids can feel really overwhelmed when they see their parents upset, so I try to make their experience at the centre a good thing.”

The welcoming and supportive environment at the Kangaroo Flat centre means Todd has formed great friendships over the years. Max, his team leader, says “He is such a swift and diligent worker, we would be lost without him.”

Todd accepted his award at a ceremony at Government House on Sunday with three of his family members there to support him.

Other Uniting individuals and teams that were highly commended at the event were:

  • Melinda Spencer (Link Health and Community/ Uniting Care Life Assist),
  • Anne Monk (Uniting Lentara/ Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre),
  • Vinod Prasad (Uniting Lentara/ Financial Inclusion) and
  • A Cuppa with Company (Uniting Bendigo – Angela Draper, Heidi Evett, Tom Patterson, Gerald Willcocks, Ehlana Dodge, Jessica Stone, Brenda Long, Kristin Baldwin).

Volunteers are crucial to the lives of those we serve here at Uniting. We’re delighted that some of them have been recognised at this event. A big “Thank You!” to every single one of you for everything you do.

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