Marg Hallett honoured as Volunteer of the Year

Marg Hallett, a beloved face behind community radio, was named the deserving winner of Narrabri Shire’s Volunteer of the Year award last Thursday.

Presented by mayor Ron Campbell at an awards ceremony at The Crossing Theatre on May 18, Marg was invited in front of her 2Max FM peers and husband John Hallett to accept the award for her 20 years of service at the radio station.

In his awards speech, Cr Campbell gave a fitting description of her community spirit, saying, “Marg is kind, generous, and always willing to help others.”

“She takes on any tasks and challenges, and her dedication and contributions to our community are valued immensely.”

Each year, in honour of Volunteers Week, the Narrabri Shire Council awards the incredible contributions of community volunteers, some of whom have given a lifetime of dedication to helping others.

For Marg, this has been a 45-year span, including 20 years as a radio host and acting treasurer at 2Max FM, amongst various other community activities.

Cr Campbell also spoke of how volunteering takes shape through the households we are raised in, and how qualities of community involvement are passed on to the next generations as we watch how those around us engage in serving the community.

“Volunteers are the backbone of many organisations and community groups across the shire.”

“Not only do volunteers make positive impacts on our communities and organisations, but they also benefit personally from their experiences.”

For Marg, the bug hit her from a very young age, becoming a volunteer as soon as she had kids.

“Volunteering was a very natural start for me, and I guess you could say it’s part of my genetics,” said Marg.

“I’ve been doing it since about 45 years ago, doing canteen duties and with P&C groups at fundraisers for school equipment.

“When my daughter wanted to play netball, there were no volunteers to look after their team, so I ended up volunteering there and learned about netball with the girls very quickly.”

Volunteering for netball led to Marg becoming a member of the Tamworth Netball Association and later the committee.

“It was about this time they needed a canteen co-ordinator, so I was put into that role for a few years.

“Again, we were raising funds for improvements, and with council-funded sealing of six courts for all-weather playing.

“Since moving to Narrabri in 1998, I somehow ended up at local radio station 2Max FM doing a training course to be a presenter as someone had heard I did netball publicity on air at 2fm with Bob Hickson in those days.”

Last year’s Volunteer of the Year winner and 2Max FM vice president Jeff Cloake has worked alongside Marg for the past 20 years as some of the radio station’s longest-serving volunteers.

Mr Cloake, who was awarded in 2022 for his service to the radio station said, “We just couldn’t do it without her, she’s been there about as long as I have, and there’s nothing she can’t do.”

“We’re very lucky to have ‘her.”

The theme for 2023 Volunteers Week was “The Change Makers,” and while we note the changes that volunteers like Marg have made for the community, Marg considers the impact that volunteering has had on her life.

“My experiences are wide and varied but have taught me to listen and pay attention to detail,” said Marg.

“It has been an amazing journey being a volunteer.

“It’s rewarding, sometimes frustrating, but absolutely great to work amongst some very beautiful and caring people.

“It also helps that I have a very understanding husband.”