Volunteering has long been a passion for Steve Page, and his commitment to helping and supporting others was recognised last week when he was named one of the recipients of a Volunteer Service Award at the 2025 Newcastle Volunteer Service Awards event.
Mr Page, a Narrabri man who has resided in Newcastle since 2018, has been an active volunteer with Sleapy’s Foundation since 2016 following the devastating loss of his late partner, Kia Lettice, to cancer.
The couple had been supported by the Newcastle charity organisation during Kia’s battle. It was known as Sleapy’s Day back then, before it later became a foundation in 2018.
The foundation is multi-faceted and cares for all people, no matter what cancer or illness they are battling or how old they may be.
The decision to give back to Peter Sleap and his charity organisation was an easy one for Mr Page, who is now nearing a decade of service.
He is affectionately known as ‘the muscle’ of the foundation, as he helps out with a lot of the heavy lifting at fundraising events, and Mr Sleap and the foundation recently acknowledged their appreciation for his ongoing contribution.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Steve as part of the 2025 Newcastle Volunteer Service Awards,” a statement from the foundation read.
“Following the loss of Kia in 2016, Steve joined us as a volunteer.
“What began as a personal connection, having supported Kia through her cancer treatment, has grown into nine years of unwavering dedication, compassion and community spirit.
“Steve is one of those remarkable volunteers who never seeks the spotlight. He simply shows up, quietly, consistently, and wholeheartedly. He supports our events, our families, and our mission and values.
“Sleapy’s Foundation exists to support individuals and families facing illness, crisis or serious hardship. Volunteers like Steve make that possible.
“Your kindness makes our community stronger, and we are so proud to see you recognised for it”
The awards event was held at Souths Merewether on Tuesday, November 18, and the Narrabri man was proud to have been recognised for his ongoing dedication to a foundation that holds such a special place in his heart.
“I’ve been with Sleapy’s Foundation prior to moving to Newcastle back in 2018. To be nominated for this award from the foundation and their board and members was very humbling, and I’m very honoured,” Mr Page said.
“There are hundreds of other people who volunteer and also deserve to be recognised, not just me.
“To be nominated and to receive the award was exciting
“I’ve got first-hand experience with the work the foundation does. Back in 2016, my partner Kia had cancer and we ventured to Newcastle to be close to John Hunter Hospital and services like that.
“We came across Sleapy’s through Kia needing a wig, and she actually had a couple donated by Peter and the foundation.
“The friendship started from there, and then especially after I moved to Newcastle (in 2018), I wanted to give back as much as I could for everything they helped us with during a time that we needed it.
“Originally, I was probably expecting it to be a short-term thing, but seeing what they do and just how lovely the people are, it’s led to me still being involved nine years later, and I will definitely continue.
“Once you meet a guy like Peter Sleap, you see why people gravitate towards him, and you are friends for life.
“When I first started with Sleapy’s, they were doing things like helping people out with things like petrol and accommodation, and now, they are building an outdoor ward at the John Hunter Hospital and they are a fully fledged foundation.
“They’ve definitely evolved and they are going from strength to strength.”
The awards at last week’s event were presented by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon, who congratulated Mr Page and all of the award recipients.
“The Newcastle Volunteer Service Awards gets better and better every year,” Ms Claydon said.
“A huge shout out to all volunteers across Newcastle.
“Thank you for everything you do in our community.”
Volunteer Service Award recipient Steve Page pictured at the 2025 Newcastle Volunteer Service Awards event with his partner Laurent Perez, Robynn Sleap, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon, and Peter Sleap. Photo: Sleapy’s Foundation
