BUSSELTON Dunsborough Volunteer Centre and the City of Busselton have celebrated this year's National Volunteer Week by hosting the inagural Busselton Dunsborough Volunteer of the Year awards on Monday.
The awards featured three main prizes -- the Harvey Norman Youth Award, Geographe Timber and Hardware Open Award, and the Geographe Camping and Outdoors Seniors Award -- recongising the achievements and efforts of volunteers in the region.
City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley addressed a room full of volunteers before the awards were announced.
"A growing need and dependence on volunteers with increased events, fundraisers and community emergencies can sometimes be overwhelming, and yet the community spirit has a united approach from organisations and individuals throughout the City of Busselton who is truly inspiring," he said.
"Tonight provides an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the many hours of devoted community work undertaken by volunteers."
Federal member for Forrest Nola Marino and Vasse MP Libby Mettam joined Mr Henley on stage to announce the winners.
Morgan Flower won the Youth Volunteer of the Year, with Isabella Oates receiving the highly commended award.
Anthony Pursell took out the Senior Volunteer of the Year award, with the highly commended awards going to Marion Scott, Brian Lucy and Jeff Falconer.
Michelle Lee, who established the Fish Ability program in Busselton, was the winner of the 2016 Geographe Timber and Hardware Open Volunteer of the Year.
"In 2012, using her own resources and without funding and support, Michelle started Fish Girls FIshing Families, a network for local famiies to include their children in regular fishing activities to ensure every child had the opportunity to be involved in a recreactional actibity regardless of their ability," Ms Marino said.
"In 2015, Michelle amalgamated her program with Fishers with Disabilities Association, to form the Busselton chapter of Fish Ability."
Ms Marino said Ms Lee had risen above many personal challenges to run a successful progam, and displays all of the characteristics of a community volunteer.
"MIchelle has three children with a disability," she said.
“So with having three children with a disability, she’s working with other families and other people who have a whole range of disability, and is offering her heart as well as her physical time and effort.”
Ms Lee, Mr Pursell and Mr Flower were awarded $400 for their contribution to the community.
Busselton Dunsborough Volunteer Centre coordinator Carl Holroyd said there were 24 nominees across the three categories of awards.
He said volunteers are vital in keeping a range of services running and operating in the community.
"A lot of organisations would not be able to sustain the level of service that they can provide to the community without volunteers," he said.
"We would be a lot more impoverished without them."
Mr Holroyd said volunteering builds community cohesion.
"It keeps people connected to a wide range of people, particularly young people working with older people," he said.
"It keeps those kinds of connections across different age groups healthy and creates tolerance and respect in the community."
National Volunteer Week runs until May 15.
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