Latest news with #VolunteeroftheYearAwards
West Australian
10-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Albany's Volunteer State Emergency Services local manager Nathan Anderson steps down after dedicated service
Albany's Volunteer State Emergency Service has a new local manager after Nathan Anderson stepped down at the end of last month. Ben Whittle owns a metal fabrication business and has been a volunteer for 11 years and has stepped up to the top job. He paid tribute to his predecessor who had been in the role for 2½ years. 'Nathan is one of those guys who will do anything for you, and he has kept the unit running well,' he said. 'He just has other commitments with his time, but he is still part of the unit, he's still hanging around.' Mr Whittle said he wanted to move on from his role in operations and he was ready for a new challenge. 'I wanted to step up in the ranks and keep the unit running smoothly,' he said. He said he was hoping to attract younger volunteers with Facebook and TikTok campaigns. 'The young fellas have got TikTok up and running so we can hopefully be better at using social media as a recruitment tool and increase awareness of what we do,' he said. Mr Whittle said he volunteered because he wanted to give something back to the community. 'When you do a stretcher-assist with St John WA or rescue people in all weathers, it's great to see the gratitude of the people you have helped out,' he said. In May this year he won the top award at the Great Southern's Volunteer of the Year Awards with a range of community organisations and individuals recognised on the night. His new deputy manager is Gavin Murdock, who has moved into the role after being a section leader.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Albany State Emergency Service volunteer Ben Whittle takes out Great Southern Volunteer of the Year Award
Albany SES volunteer Ben Whittle has won the top award at the Great Southern's Volunteer of the Year Awards with a range of community organisations and individuals recognised on the night. The annual awards recognise the work of volunteers across the region in a myriad of capacities, from the Albany Returned Services League to the Cancer Council, and from the emergency services to arts and radio. Mr Whittle, who accepted his Great Southern volunteer of the year award at a ceremony at Albany Entertainment Centre last Thursday, said he was proud to serve his community as an emergency services volunteer. 'It was good to get the acknowledgement more than anything, we're definitely kept busy and we do a hard job sometimes, so it's nice to be nominated and to be recognised by the community,' he said. 'There's always a new challenge and a new adventure with the SES, and I love a challenge, so I've loved my time volunteering with them and I'm planning on sticking around for a fair while yet. 'Volunteering is always an incredibly rewarding way to give back to the community, and there's a role out there for everyone, whether that's with us, we're always after even caterers and communications operators and that sort of thing, or elsewhere, there's so many different volunteer associations out there that there'll be something for everyone to do.' Mr Whittle won the coveted award out of a field of more than 10 nominees, including two other finalists: Cancer Council's Debby Davies and Albany RSL's Stephen Edmonds. The second major award of the night was the volunteer organisation of the year, which was awarded to Albany Historic Whaling Station. Managers Jen Bane and Alice Ackley received the award on the organisation's behalf with Ms Ackley acknowledging all the hard working volunteers in the room on the night and thanking all the organisation's supporters and volunteers. 'We're very honoured to be accepting this award tonight,' she said. 'We have some of our fabulous volunteers here who, each and every day, helped bring the story of our site. 'We offer such a wealth of experience to visitors of all backgrounds, and it's through our volunteers that this experience is just brought to a whole new level. 'Working 365 days a year, we've got a fabulous team that undertake our maintenance, greeting guests, welcoming people to site, looking after our plans and our wildlife, we're just so proud and honoured to have them as part of our team, and just delighted to be here tonight.' The four other nominees were Soroptimist International of Albany, Great Southern FM radio, RSLWA Albany branch and the Albany Over 50s Recreation Association.
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
IN PICTURES: Dedication of Great Southern volunteers recognised at annual Volunteer of the Year Awards
The hard work and compassion of the Great Southern's volunteers was brought under the spotlight at the Albany Entertainment Centre on Thursday night with the annual Volunteer of the Year Awards. Albany State Emergency Service volunteer Ben Whittle took home the coveted Volunteer of the Year honour for his work helping residents and visitors to the Great Southern in emergency situations including bushfires, floods and rescues. The Albany Historic Whaling Station won the Volunteer Organisation of the Year award for their dedication to creating a space for volunteers to help keep Albany's whaling heritage alive. The Singability Choir opened the event with songs relating to the theme of volunteering and connecting communities, the audience sang and clapped along. Musical breaks from The Offsiders, and Laurie Smithers kept guests entertained all night between presentations, speeches, and awards. City of Albany mayor Greg Stocks addressed the gathered crowd, recalling times during his stint in local government when he had seen the Great Southern community come together to help or support someone in need. Co-founder of Albany Community Foundation and director of Merrifield Real Estate Jeremy Stewart took the stage as a guest speaker, sharing anecdotes from his time with the foundation. 'Never underestimate the impact you can have simply by showing up... your time and your heart do more good than you know,' he said. City of Albany's Kore Ford also spoke to the group, talking about their experience as a young volunteer.
