Volunteers earn their community awards

THE efforts and contributions of the City of Casey’s volunteers have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.
As part of National Volunteers Week the Casey Community Volunteer Award winners were announced after 48 nominations in six categories were received.
The Narre Warren SES was the winner of the Innovation Award in recognition of the unit’s contribution to the Casey community since it began operation 18 months ago.
The service now provides a voluntary 24-hour service every day of the year for the community’s need, be that after storm damage or flooding or in search and rescue work.
Cranbourne Secondary College student Angelina Eli received the Young Volunteer Award in recognition of the leadership role she played in the newly developed Pacific Islander Youth Group at the college last year.
The 16-year-old also organised Roatongan Performers for Australia Day celebrations in Cranbourne and worked for three weeks as a volunteer at an orphanage in India in January.
Narre Warren resident Susan Bergman was named the city’s volunteer of the year in the arts and cultural category in recognition of her work with three local theatre companies: BATS Theatre Company, Windmill Theatre Company and the Dandenong Theatre Company.
Ms Bergman has also been instrumental in the planning, establishment and operation of two significant arts facilities in Casey, the Cranbourne Community Theatre and the Casey Performing Arts Rehearsal Centre. However, Ms Bergman is also well known throughout the Casey community through her association with local socialite Lady Uppity Crust, a popular character that pops up at numerous events across the city.
Narre Warren South local Phil Hughes received the Environment-Conservation Award in recognition of his work as a guide, teacher and environmental leader for students at various local schools. Mr Hughes has assisted students at Narre Warren South P-12 College to plant 200 trees and is also treasurer with the Oakgrove Community Centre Committee of Management.
Cranbourne resident Gloria Flatt was named joint winner of the Family and Community Award in conjunction with Berwick local Margaret Hill.
Mrs Flatt was recognised for her association with St John Ambulance, which led to her spending hundreds of hours in public first aid duties (often more than 600 hours annually) lecturing on first aid and related matters to groups such as Lions, Rotary and aged care providers. She has progressed through the ranks of the organisation and was recently promoted to Commander in the Priory Order of St John Ambulance Australia.
Mrs Hill has been a member of Berwick Red Cross for 25 years and is a member of Berwick RSL and Berwick Probus Club and the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park.
She is also committed to Berwick Anglican Church as a member of the Ladies’ Guild, the Flower Show Committee, the Mothers’ Union (for 26 years) and the Pastoral Care team.
Through her involvement with the Pastoral Care team she has volunteered at Stephenson House Nursing Home three evenings a month for 14 years and does similar work at Berwick’s St John of God Hospital.
Leslie Herring of Berwick received the Sport and Recreation Award. Mr Herring, with other volunteer members of the Berwick Bowling Club, taught and coached 500 students from four secondary colleges in the municipality last year. He also coaches two pennant teams from St Francis Xavier College, which now competes in the Royal Victoria Bowls Association Saturday morning pennant competition.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford congratulated all of the nominees and on behalf of the City of Casey extended thanks and appreciation to Casey’s volunteers for their continued efforts in making a difference to others in the community.