Held to coincide with National Volunteer Week, the Tasmanian Volunteering Awards acknowledge the valuable contribution volunteers make to the community.

The 27 finalists and their nominators joined Governor Kate Warner, industry sponsors and dignitaries at the official awards ceremony.

Northern Tasmania was well represented in the winners list, with Exeter Show Society president Trevor Clark (Arts, Heritage and Tourism Award), Launceston RSL Sub Branch Australian Defence Force Welfare Team (Volunteer Group or Program award), Norma Baker (Environment, Animal Care and Conservation Award) and Rodney McLean (Emergency Services Award) all recognised for their contribution.

Disability Services and Community Development Minister Jacquie Petrusma presented the 2018 Premier’s Volunteer of the Year Award to Leslie Williams, who has been actively volunteering for over 60 years.

Mr Williams currently dedicates his time to the Huntington’s Disease Association of Tasmania, which supports families and raises awareness.

Ms Petrusma said the contribution of the state’s volunteers had been particularly noticeable this month.

“It is in times of emergency that the spirit of volunteering is most obvious, and that has most certainly been the case,” she said.

“Tasmanians can be very proud of their strong commitment to volunteering, which is a vital part of our social fabric.

“Without the contributions from volunteers, many of the events, services and supports we access simply would not be available.”

Volunteering Tasmania’s chief executive  Alison Lai said the judging panel found extremely difficult to narrow down the finalists.

“In the spirit of this year’s National Volunteer Week theme ‘Give a Little. Change a Lot’, I want to remind every volunteer that their contribution, big or small, is significant,” she said.”

“Volunteering is not measured through the number of hours people give, but by the impact of what they’re doing.”