Winners of 2020 Volunteer Recognition Awards revealed

The winners of the 2020 City of Ryde Volunteer Recognition Awards have been announced at a
special online ceremony staged last night.

Yung Shim Lee Kim received the 2020 Individual Volunteer of the Year award for her work with the
Australian Korean Art T herapy Association.

Ms Kim has been a volunteer for the association for 15 years, helping organise a range of workshops
for local elderly residents, disabled youth, students and disadvantaged women. In addition, Ms Kim
has overseen the training of other association members, helping them to qualify as art therapists.

while also increasing local participation in the association’s activities.

Edwin Ikwu was awarded a Special Commendation award for his volunteer work with Royal Rehab, a
rehabilitation and di sability support network located in the City of Ryde.

As part of his roles and responsibilities at Royal Rehab, Mr Ikwu undertakes weekly visits to a non –
verbal resident, whom he has learnt to communicate with, providing the resident with a regular
compa nion and reducing their social isolation.

Claire Sellar received the 2020 Young Volunteer of the Year award. Ms Sellar volunteers for a range
of local community organisations including St John Ambulance, The Girls Leadership Network
Sydney, Marsden High S chool and as an umpire for the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association.

The Afghan Women ‘s Wellbeing Group was awarded the 2020 Group Volunteer of the Year award.

Established in 2016, the Afghan Women ‘s Wellbeing Group provides support to migrants, asylum
seekers and refugees living in the City of Ryde and surrounding area. Through its work, the group
helps hundreds of local residents overcome challenges such as domestic violence, unemployment
financial stress and homelessness.

City of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale congratulated everyone who was nominated for this year’s
Volunteer Recognition Awards.

“The challenges created by the coronavirus (COVID -19) pandemic this year have underscored the
extremely important work our local volunteers undertake throughout all aspects of the the City of Ryde
community,” Clr Laxale.

“It is therefore fitting that we can all come together and celebrate the achievements of these unsung
heroes.”

The 2020 City of Ryde Vo lunteer Recognition Awards were the 31 st edition of the event. This year’s
awards were streamed online via Council’s website and Facebook page due to coronavirus (COVID –
19) restrictions.

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