Volunteers are the backbone of country communities, and the Narrabri Shire is fortunate to have a diverse mix of residents willing to put their hands up, dig deep and give their time to support the region making it a better place to live, work and play.
An impressive line-up of local volunteers was praised on Friday: Danny Laws, Gary Mason OAM, Betty Laird, Dawn Debbage, Samantha Coppin, Roger Hollingworth and Kodey Stanford.
All were finalists in the 2024 Narrabri Shire Volunteer of the Year Award, and all were thanked for their outstanding service at a council ceremony held on Friday to mark National Volunteer Week.
“Every single one of these volunteers is amazing and they do amazing work,” said Cr Tiemens, who called for the audience to ‘give a drum roll’ before the big announcement.
“We celebrate them all, but there can only be one … the winner of the 2024 Narrabri Shire Volunteer award for this year is – Danny Laws.”
Mr Laws received a round of applause from the crowd as Cr Tiemens acknowledged the Narrabri Junior Soccer Club president’s significant contributions and highlighted his humble nature.
“Danny has been volunteering and dedicating his time to Narrabri Junior Soccer for many years,” said Cr Tiemens.
“This includes tackling the tireless tasks that need to be completed – not just during the season but the off season as well.
“The competition and club would not run without Danny’s time and effort.”
Of course, soccer is a team sport – both on and off the field – and straight off the bat, Mr Laws acknowledged the people he volunteers alongside.
“This is a tribute to the whole club and committee,” said Mr Laws.
“I would just like to say thank you for the nomination, and also thank you to council and to the other volunteers here today.
“This is truly an honour. I’m overwhelmed, I wasn’t expecting this at all.
“Just being nominated by a fellow committee member, I am only the head of the committee – what we do as a committee reflects the community that we are a part of and this award.
“I captained and coached Namoi United years ago and when that folded, I was looking to do something else and my kids were playing junior soccer, so I went down and started coaching.
“Then I realised the committee only had three people on board.
“So, I put my hand up.
“I thought I could find the time on Saturday mornings to help out and I’ve been there about nine years.
“And the committee has grown in that time.
“My love of sport has grown from coaching, refereeing, and then joining the committee and obviously stepping up through the ranks of the committee.
“I wasn’t sure if I really wanted it, but sometimes you’re just thrown into a job and I’ve just tried to do my best over the last four years of being president.”
While volunteers are considered the backbone, sport is often referred to as the lifeblood of country communities: if people aren’t on the sports field playing, they’re on the sidelines cheering, catching up with mates and experiencing the varied health benefits sport brings, from physical activity to social connection.
“Sport is a big part of communities out in the bush and it’s a social thing to being part of a sporting club or organisation,” said Mr Laws, who encouraged other residents to lend a hand and experience the rewarding feeling that comes with volunteering and making a difference.
“We grew from three committee members to six committee members, now we’re at 13 over the last four years.
“And most of them are people I know closely because they’ve seen how much joy we have as a committee – it’s like the family.
“Junior soccer is getting bigger and better, so we need these volunteers, more parents and people to get involved with coaching,” he told The Courier.
The recent success of Australian soccer and the so-called ‘Matilda effect’ has also played a part in building ‘the beautiful game’ in the Narrabri region.
“We’ve got about 46 per cent of girls playing soccer this year,” explained Mr Laws.
“So that’s a big number of female participants in junior soccer – and it’s great to see.
“Years ago, you probably look back at the records and it was probably only 25 to 30 per cent.
“We’re having our biggest year of soccer ever with 360 kids registered and Wee Waa are bringing in 80 kids as well so each weekend there is about 440 kids.
“And in the last couple of years we’ve had our biggest carnivals with over 65 teams.
“But I do really want to pay tribute to my committee because I wouldn’t be here, with this award, without them,” said Mr Laws.
“We do it because we love doing it.”
Cr Tiemens said he believed volunteering was “the secret to happiness” and he urged others to give it a go.
“I think volunteering is truly a way of making ourselves and making others around us happy,” said Cr Tiemens.
“It is really the trick to finding satisfaction in life.”
Cr Tiemens, who has played an important role part in many local groups and charitable endeavours over the years, confessed to being “bitten by the volunteering bug about 15 years ago”.
Championing the merits of lending a hand, he explained how volunteering can make a big impact and even small gestures, such as checking on a neighbour can go a very long way.
Lifelong mateship and bonds formed through volunteering were also highlighted during discussions at the ceremony and morning tea.
“National Volunteer Week Provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in our community,” said Cr Tiemens.
“Established 35 years ago, it is the premier celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia.
“This year’s theme is Something for Everyone – recognising the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.
“It also emphasises there is a place for everyone in the world of volunteering – including in Narrabri Shire.”
A small snapshot of the huge contributions made by the other finalists was also shared with the supportive audience.
Read more about the other finalists here: Narrabri Shire Volunteer of the Year 2024 finalists – The Courier (narrabricourier.com.au)
Attendees gathered for morning tea following the ceremony’s conclusion.
“Thank you to everyone for attending another wonderful Volunteer of the Year event,” Cr Tiemens said.
“I’d also like to thank those behind the scenes who made today possible, including Council staff and RSL staff. “Please join us for morning tea and enjoy the rest of the day”.
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