Dozens of volunteers in the wider Orana Region were recognised at the 2025 Orana Volunteer of the Year Awards in Dubbo late last month.

Held as part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, the awards are now in their 19th year and celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across NSW.

Nominees across all categories received certificates at the event at the Dubbo RSL Club on September 30, with the winners of each category receiving a framed award.

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Adult Volunteer

Nepalese community leader from Dubbo, Ramesh Sharma, was announced as the 2025 Orana Volunteer of the Year, for his work building social cohesion and strong community connections with the Orana Residents of Indian Sub Continental Heritage (ORISCON) organisation. He also serves as a vital link between the Nepalese diaspora and the broader community, and promoting and preserving Nepalese language and heritage.

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Young Volunteer

Cobar High School student and cross-country runner Pearl Blackburn is the Orana Young Volunteer of the Year. Ms Blackburn gives her time at the student council, supporting student health and wellbeing programs, Little Athletics and Show Girl Committees, and many other programs and events.

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Senior Volunteer

Dubbo grief counsellor, early responder for people experiencing loss and president of the Orana branch of the National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG) NSW, Kerry Frost is the Orana Senior Volunteer of the Year. Ms Frost provides unwavering support to people at times of crisis and is in addition to her role on the NALAG NSW board.

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Emergency Volunteer

Ambulance NSW Community First Responder Christopher Milne from North Yeoval is the inaugural Orana Emergency Volunteer of the Year. Mr Milne provides lifesaving acute care, back up care, and support to people in and around Yeoval.

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Volunteer Team

The National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG) volunteer team helps people dealing with the trauma of an unexpected loss and are the Orana Volunteer Team of the Year. They have helped more than 200 people in the past 12 months, giving around 2000 hours of assistance to make sure people feel heard and supported.

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Mr Sharma and Ms Blackburn were not present at the event to receive their awards in person.

The NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie Harrison, congratulated the award nominees and recipients.

“You’ve been recognised as heroes by the people in your communities who know you best. Thank you for your ongoing contributions, which make NSW the best state to live and work in,” she concluded.