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Monday, 28 October 2013 09:28

New awards for Victorian Volunteers

State Government media release - Sunday 27 October 2013

The incredible contribution of Victoria's volunteers will be recognised by  a new state award, the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award, Premier Denis  Napthine announced at a garden picnic event at Cruden Farm near  Langwarrin, today.

 Dr Napthine said the Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Awards recognise the  outstanding contribution volunteers make to the community, with the top  award named in honour of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, who was one of Victoria's  great philanthropists.

 “Dame Elisabeth Murdoch was a generous, humble and loving benefactor. Her  life was about improving other people’s circumstances,” Dr Napthine said.

 A volunteer from Moe, Mr Darell Benjamin OAM, who has raised almost $1  million for the Royal Children's Hospital, was named as the state's first  Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award winner at today's event.

 “Mr Benjamin is a terrific winner of the first Dame Elisabeth Murdoch  Award. He represents the genuine grass roots community volunteer who are  the heart of the soul of many local communities across the state,” Dr  Napthine said.

 Mr Benjamin, 85, has been raising money for the Royal Children’s Good  Friday Appeal since 1978. In 2004 he was awarded the Latrobe City Citizen  of the Year award and in 2008 he received an Order of Australia Medal for  his year-round fundraising efforts.

Mr Benjamin’s significant contribution to the community includes his  involvement with the Moe Lions Club and as a group leader for  intellectually, physically and mentally handicapped Boy Scouts.

As part of the award, Mr Benjamin received $10,000 for his chosen charity.

Dr Napthine also announced the members of the Awards Committee, who would  provide advice on nominations for the awards, which from 2014 will include  the following categories:

 ·        Victorian Volunteer of the Year - The Dame Elisabeth Murdoch

          Award - $10,000 to  chosen charity.

 

 ·        Senior Volunteer of the Year - $2,000 to their chosen charity.

 

 ·        Youth Volunteer of the Year - $2,000 to their chosen charity.

 

 ·        Regional Volunteer of the Year - $2,000 to their chosen charity.

 

 ·        Metropolitan Volunteer of the Year - $2,000 to their chosen

          charity.

 

 ·        New Resident of the Year - $2,000 to their chosen charity.

 

 The Awards Committee includes Mr Craig Lapsley, Fire Services Commissioner  Victoria and Board Member Volunteering Victoria, Mrs Janet Calvert-Jones,  Murdoch family member and Ms Julie Pettett, CEO of Wimmera Volunteers.

 The Committee will be chaired by The Hon Jeff Kennett AC, the Chairman of  beyondblue, which has successfully worked to improve services and change  attitudes to depression and anxiety since 2000.

 “There are about 1.5 million volunteers in Victoria who give their time  and effort to improve the lives of people in hardship. Volunteer work is  not just about helping others, it’s also about making our society a better  place for everyone,” Dr Napthine said.

 More than 100 volunteers from charity organisations across Victoria  attended the event at the beautiful garden setting of Dame Elisabeth  Murdoch’s home.

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