Last night, volunteers from across the city gathered at The Cube Wodonga for the Volunteer of the Year Awards, recognising the dedication, generosity and community spirit of volunteers across Wodonga.
The evening fell during National Volunteer Week (May 18 to 24), with this year’s theme, “Your Year to Volunteer”, a call to all Australians to embrace volunteering as a way to create connection, purpose and positive community impact.
The Awards recognised volunteers cross four categories.
The Bryan Watson Wodonga Individual of the Year Award was presented to Julie Hind for her exceptional work as President and Chair of the Wodonga Urban Landcare Network (WULN).
A founding member, she has guided WULN from a small volunteer committee into a strong, skills‑based charitable organisation supporting 18 member groups and hundreds of volunteers. Her vision, reliability and mentorship have shaped WULN’s growth and long‑term success.
As part of this award, Julie received a $1000 donation from the Rotary Club of Belvoir-Wodonga to donate to a local charity of her choice.
The Community Accessability Wodonga Volunteer team was named Wodonga’s Volunteer Team of the Year for the vital role they play in enabling independence and connection within the community.
Through their reliability, empathy and commitment, they not only meet essential needs but also create a more connected, inclusive and supportive community.
The Two Cities One Community Volunteer of the Year was presented to Kay Polson, who has played a pivotal role in coordinating some of Legacy’s major fundraising initiatives.
Balancing her responsibilities as a Legatee, caring for widows, and her leadership roles within the organisation, Kay consistently goes above and beyond to strengthen community connections and inspire others to give back.
Lastly, the Mayoral Award went to Repair Café Albury Wodonga for its decade-long commitment to environmental sustainability and community support.
For 10 years, their dedicated volunteers have repaired over 5,000 items, diverted significant waste from landfill and helped thousands of residents gain confidence in repairing and reusing everyday items.
United by teamwork, skill-sharing and a shared passion for helping others, the volunteers exemplify the spirit of community service and continue to create meaningful, lasting change.
Wodonga Council’s Mayor Michael Gobel said the impact of volunteers extends far beyond the hours they give.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our community,” said Mayor Gobel.
“They strengthen wellbeing, build connection and support many of the services and initiatives our community relies on each day.”
It was an honour to celebrate the people who generously donate their time, skills and knowledge to enhance our community.
Full list of nominees across the 2026 awards
- Tom Wade
- Diana Johnston
- Julie Hind
- Steve Love
- Maria Tams
- Justin Shukuru
- Sue Cardwell
- Marie Archer
- Sandra Green
- Raymond John Hughes
- Ray and Dianna Busuttil
- Wodonga Congolese Cultural School
- Repair Cafe Albury Wodonga
- Wodonga Show Society
- Uniting Vic Tas Wodonga
- Wodonga & District Historical Society
- Wodonga Life Activities Club
- Community Accessibility Wodonga Volunteer Team
- Wodonga Urban Landcare Network
- The Vision Australia Radio Team
- Marjory Howard
- Kay Polsen