News

The Volunteering NSW Macarthur Regional Awards were held on Tuesday 8^th September. Ongoing Coronavirus restrictions meant that for the first time the Awards were not held in person but rather via Zoom. All categories of the Awards were well contested by a wide variety of individual volunteering roles and/or group volunteer programs from across the region.

Winning Senior Volunteer of the Year Award for the Macarthur region was Mary Carey from South Western Sydney Palliative Care Service. Gemma Rygate, CEO, The Centre for Volunteering presented her with the award online and acknowledged her significant contribution to Palliative Care. When making her acceptance speech, Mary acknowledged the team of palliative care volunteers and staff.

Also present for the awards from the South Western Sydney Palliative Care Service were Arlene Roache, Volunteer Coordinator and Janeane Harlum, Area Palliative Care Manager.

“On behalf of the SWSLHD Palliative Care Service we congratulate Mary on the Award and recognition as the 2020 Senior Volunteer of the year for Macarthur region. We feel extremely proud and are grateful for her long time service as a Palliative Care Volunteer. We thank Mary for her hard work, ongoing efforts and for making a difference for patients and staff in South Western Sydney.”

“Mary’s generosity was seen as a wonderful contribution to the SWSLHD Palliative Care Service,” said Arlene.

Mary has supported patients in the Palliative Care Unit at Camden Hospital and in the Macarthur community since 2001. A skilled and accomplished sewer, Mary donates her time, talent and her own resources to make beautiful, elegant, embroidered syringe driver bags.

“We always hear positive feedback from staff saying how much the bags are appreciated by them and the palliative care patients in hospital, at home, and right across the District,” Arlene said. “They’re seen as a bit of a fashion statement.”

Mary will now go on to be a nominee in the NSW Volunteer Awards to be held later in the year and we all wish her well.

Photo: Mary Carey at the Award Zoom Ceremony.