Celebrating the Heart of AWH during National Volunteer Week 2025
Friday, 23 May 2025 / Albury Wodonga Health
Held annually during National Volunteer Week, this year’s celebration embraced the theme ‘Connecting Communities’ – a message that deeply reflects the role volunteers play in bringing together people, places and purpose across our health service.
In healthcare, connection is healing, and our volunteers are the human face of that connection, reminding us that at the heart of a strong health service, is a strong, supported community. AWH volunteers embody this by being the quiet strength behind so many moments in the healthcare journey. They walk alongside patients and families, offer reassurance in busy corridors, support teams at events, and raise critical funds that enable us to do more. This event was a moment to pause, reflect and recognise those invaluable contributions to daily life at Albury Wodonga Health.
AWH CEO Bill Appleby and Board Chair Jonathan Green addressed the gathering with appreciation, reflecting on the profound impact volunteers have across the organisation, and acknowledging that volunteers play an essential role not just in what we do, but in how we do it.
“Volunteers bring connection, comfort, and compassion - and that spirit is woven into the fabric of AWH,” Mr Appleby said. “Their contribution is not an add-on; it is essential to the experience of care.”
With over 250 volunteers, giving over 2500 hours of their time each year, their impact is deep and enduring. Their presence supports patients, families, and staff in ways that are visible and invisible, practical and emotional. Their efforts connect communities across borders, backgrounds, and generations as they bring with them a spirit of generosity, resilience and service that speaks directly to our purpose at Albury Wodonga Health – to advance the health and wellbeing of our communities, together.
A special moment in the program came when Volunteer of the Year 2024, Helen, and long-serving volunteer, Daniel, with his dog Frodo, shared their personal reflections on what volunteering has meant to them. Their stories of small actions and shared purpose served as a heartfelt reminder that the true value of volunteering lies in the relationships it builds.
The room was filled with warmth, gratitude, and laughter - a celebration not just of service, but of the shared commitments that unite us all.
To our volunteers: thank you. You show us that in healthcare, connection is everything - and at AWH, we are stronger because of you.