Volunteers in the spotlight

Honouring service: Ballarat Informal Volunteer of the Year, Wendy Vorstenbosch, celebrated with her nominator Sharon Dundas at an event on Tuesday evening. Photo: EDWINA WILLIAMS

BALLARAT’S inaugural Informal Volunteer of the Year Awards were held at the Australian Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades on Tuesday Evening.

The major honour was awarded to Wendy Vorstenbosch, an advocate for women’s health and fitness.

“Wendy has been working over many years to encourage and provide a fun, safe and inclusive environment for women to become physically active in the community,” awards co-organiser Cathy Bushell said.

“She has formed the 30 together group and organises free or low cost, non-competitive and fun activities such as pickle ball, tennis, and line dancing.

“Wendy has amassed over 130 members in the group and encourages women of all ages and abilities to participate.

“She takes time to teach and encourage newcomers and is committed to ongoing awareness-raising through engagement via Facebook groups across the Ballarat region.”

Ms Vorstenbosch said she was surprised to hear her name read out but was proud of the group she’s been able to bring together.

“It’s been going for years now,” she said. “We hit to each other, we laugh and giggle, it’s non-competitive and there’s no judgement.

“I enjoy making new friends and forming the community. It’s a good excuse to get up and keep going.”

Thirteen-year-old Freya Leela Vimal was named Young Informal Volunteer of the Year for her efforts teaching children to dance, donating hair for cancer patients, and helping friends, neighbours, and aged care home residents.

“Freya is described as someone who embodies the spirit of volunteerism and sets an inspiring example for others to follow which is especially impressive given her young age,” Ms Bushell said.

“The future of Ballarat is in safe hands.”

Mrudula Wilson won Adult Informal Volunteer of the Year, while Senior Informal Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Jack Yang.

Ms Wilson aims to improve the health and wellbeing of women with multicultural backgrounds, while Mr Yang leads free daily Tai Chi classes at Lake Wendouree and teaches English to older Chinese community members.

The awards evening was an initiative of participants of the Committee for Ballarat’s Future Shapers program.