COLEDALE RSL Club members are celebrating after taking out the Club Volunteer Award this week as part of the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

After 75 years of operation, Coledale RSL Club closed its doors in 2022. Determined to save it, a group of local families rallied together to transform the club into a thriving community hub.

Today, with over 80 dedicated volunteers and a variety of innovative programs, the club has become a vibrant gathering place in the Illawarra and an important support base for veterans.

This week, the work undertaken by those dedicated volunteers was acknowledged when the team took out the Club Volunteer Award as part of the annual award event.

The 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards is run by The Centre for Volunteering – the peak body for volunteering in NSW.

A spokesperson from the Centre for Volunteering said the announcement was made in front of 300 volunteers and community leaders.

“The club re-opened its doors thanks to the determined effort of a group of local families who rolled up their sleeves to get the club back on its feet,” the spokesperson said.

“It now a thriving community hub, led by a team of 80 local volunteers.”

A spokesperson for the Coledale RSL announced the victory on social media.

“We won! Well done everyone, thank you to all those who volunteer and those that continue to turn up, partner with us and keep this little but mighty club going.”

The Awards are supported by Principal Partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and Clubs NSW.

Minister with responsibility for Volunteering Jodie Harrison congratulations the winners and nominees of this year’s awards.

“You have been recognised as heroes by the people in your communities. Thank you for all you do to make NSW the best state to live and work in,” Minister Harrison said.

Clubs NSW CEO Rebecca Riant said volunteers help to enrich local communities right across the state, including within NSW clubs, and the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate their incredible contributions.

“We’re proud to partner with The Centre for Volunteering in honouring these inspiring individuals, and especially excited to present the Club Volunteer of the Year Award category, which highlights the outstanding efforts of volunteers within our industry.”

The 2024 Awards acknowledged the efforts of thousands of nominees throughout the state.

• Volunteer of the Year and Adult Volunteer of the Year: Kate Cleary from The Farm in Galong
• Young Volunteer of the Year: St John first aider and mental health advocate, Usha Makkena from Edmondson Park
• Senior Volunteer of the Year: Mother’s home visiting service volunteer, Barbara Jones from Sutherland
• Volunteer Team of the Year: The Eugowra Flood Recovery team
• Volunteer Leader of the Year: Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme manager, Kathryn Bredin from Wagga Wagga
• Club Volunteer of the Year: The Coledale RSL Club Volunteer Team
• Not-For-Profit Voluntary Governance Award – Bronwyn Evans from Toukley Neighbourhood Centre.

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