Sapphire Coast News

A NSW Volunteer of the Year Award was presented today (Wednesday) to Tony Toussaint of Merimbula.

Bega Valley Shire Mayor Tony Allen presented Mr Toussaint with the 2009 South Coast Capital Senior Volunteer of the Year Award in the Council Chambers.

Mr Toussaint sits on the Bega Valley Meals on Wheels Co-operative Ltd volunteer board and has done for five years, representing the Veteran community.

He spent two years as vice chair and has been chair for the last year. He is a retired builder who gives his time, business and building knowledge to community projects.

Mr Toussaint is also president of Bega Valley Home Modifications Inc; secretary/welfare officer of the Merimbula RSL Sub Branch; and a member and past president of the Robin Hood Club.

He liaised with the RSL Sub-Branch and the Robin Hood Club to raise funds to sponsor Bega Valley Meals on Wheels 'Gone Fishing Bus' which takes senior men and women who are otherwise housebound and isolated on fishing trips within the Shire.

Cr Allen praised Mr Toussaint’s contribution to the community over many years.

“In this Shire we have many, many volunteers without whom we would not enjoy the level of services and amenity that we do,” he said.

“They are active in every area of community life and we would but much poorer without them.

“While they do not seek recognition or praise for their efforts, it is good to see one of them honoured here today with this Volunteer of the Year Award,” Cr Allen said.

As the 2009 South Coast Capital Senior Volunteer of the Year Award winner, Mr Toussaint will then go on to compete with senior winners from 17 other regions across the State for the 2009 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year Award.

Photograph
Senior Volunteer of the Year Award winner, Tony Toussaint of Merimbula (left), receives his certificate from Mayor Tony Allen.