Narrabri Shire Volunteer of the Year 2024 finalists

Read about the 2024 Narrabri Shire Volunteer of the Year Award day and winner Danny Laws here: Danny Laws awarded Narrabri Shire Volunteer of the Year 2024 – The Courier (narrabricourier.com.au)

Kodey Stanford

Kodey has significantly impacted the Narrabri community through her extensive volunteer work – her involvement is highlighted throughout Rotaract Club of Narrabri, Narrabri Industrial Network, and Namoi Jobs and Trades Show.

As president of the Rotaract Club, Kodey oversees monthly trivia nights and raises funds for local causes. She also helped facilitate a mentorship program at Narrabri High School, fostering growth and development among students.

Betty Laird

Betty has been coordinating a craft group here in the region for several years at the Old Goal Museum rooms.

The group, which meets weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, creates craft items for donation to several different organisations around the shire.

This includes knitting or crocheting knee rugs for aged care facilities. The group also makes novelty dolls to donate to struggling families.

Furthermore, it helps people to socialise and share ideas or plan the next project.

Betty is adept at presenting demonstrations of a new craft idea to tackle that she may have researched. She has also assisted in the formation of other groups across the North West.

Gary Mason OAM

Gary was the Narrabri RSL sub-branch president from 2017 to 2024 and has been at the centre of Narrabri Shire’s sub-branch activities for many years.

This includes Anzac Day, Victory in the Pacific, Vietnam Veterans’ Day, and Remembrance Day Memorial Services.

He has also been a wonderful support to veterans and their families. Additionally, Gary has been heavily involved in the RSL at a regional and state level.

He was intimately involved in overseeing the funding and construction of the Narrabri War Memorial in the RSL grounds.

In further recognition of his enormous contribution to our community, Gary was awarded an OAM in the Australia Day Honours in 2021.

Roger Hollingworth

Roger volunteers day in and day out helping our community, organising barbecues, and helping with community events.

He is involved in Boggabri Lions Club, Boggabri Tractor Shed, Boggabri Men’s Shed, and the RFS.

Dawn Debbage

Dawn began volunteering at Jessie Hunt in 2017. She visits the home weekly, providing nail arts/painting, massages, and socialising with the residents.

Dawn’s pleasant, happy personality and positive attitude is very much appreciated by all the residents, and she is a valued member of the Jessie Hunt team.

Samantha Coppin

Samantha played a pivotal role in establishing the Narrabri High School Mentorship Program and continues to lead its facilitation. She is an executive member of the Show Society, orchestrating various aspects of the 2024 show, including the horse and young woman competitions.

Additionally, Sam has represented the Narrabri Show at the Sydney Royal, where she mentored young women through the Interconnections Program and stewarded in the dairy cattle pavilion.

Samantha has kick started initiatives like the Mullet Challenge, a fundraiser for the Black Dog Institute, and is involved in Rotaract Club of Narrabri.