A Narre Warren North resident has been named Volunteer of the Year during the Stroke Awards ceremony on Friday 3 May.
A Stroke Foundation volunteer, Toni Arfaras has been awarded for her efforts that educated hundreds, with the award recognising her as an outstanding volunteer whose dedicated service made a significant difference.
Ms Arfaras said that “it is very rewarding being able to connect with other out in the community”.
Since her own stroke in 2013, Ms Arfaras has been determined to use her lived experience, as well as her skills from years of teaching to help educate others.
After becoming a StrokeSafe speaker in 2016, she has since delivered multiple talks, with 34 in 2023 and has travelled over 2400 kilometres to complete them.
Likewise, 4000 kilometres is planned to be journeyed for 2024, with 33 talks already booked in.
“For me, giving StrokeSafe talks is a way I can give back to the community, and if I can put a few of my skills to use while saving a life, or preventing disability, then it’s worth my while,” she said.
Stroke Foundation chief executive officer Dr Lisa Murphy said that Ms Arfaras is an asset to the organisation, saying that “without dedicated volunteers like Toni, Stroke Foundation simply wouldn’t exist”.
“Toni works tirelessly out in the community to ensure more people know how to recognise and prevent a stroke.
“It’s fantastic to see that Toni is able to use many of her skills to deliver such engaging and educational talks, we’re so lucky to have her,” Dr Murphy said.
The Stroke Awards aims to celebrate those in the local community who go above and beyond to improve the lives of those affected by stroke, such as survivors themselves, carers, volunteers, fundraisers, health professionals and so on.
There were a total of eight categories to be won in the Stroke Awards, such as Fundraiser of the Year, First Nations Stroke Excellence and Improving Life After Stroke among others.
