The recipients from Queanbeyan, Cooma, Bungendore, Bombala, Braidwood, Delegate and Jindabyne were honoured with Monaro Service Awards for their outstanding contribution to the community in areas such as the arts, environment, education, health, sport, heritage and pastoral care.

Mr Barilaro and Member of the Legislative Council Bronnie Taylor presented the awards at ceremonies in Cooma and Queanbeyan this week.

“The Monaro Service Award is a small way of thanking volunteers for what they do,”  Mr Barilaro said.

A NSW SES Young Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Yvette Amos; the Local Women of the Year award was presented to Bungendore’s Hanna Darmody; Wendy Hukins of Jindabyne was presented with a NSW Government Award for 25 years of volunteering and a special posthumous award for Bede Nichols for community service was accepted by his wife Kath Nichols.

Outstanding Community Organisation Awards were presented to Queanbeyan FM and the Bombala Historic Engine & Machinery Society for longstanding service to the community.

The Bombala Historic Engine and Machinery Society were recognised for their dedication and service for more than 20 years to preserving history.

Other recipients were Bombala’s Paul Perkins for his work with rugby league and from Delegate Garry and Jean Preston were recognised for their service to the Delegate Rural Fire Service by encouraging and training new volunteers.

“Garry and Jean are dedicated to improving the resources of the Rural Fire Service and have helped gain funds for a new fire-shed,” Mrs Taylor said

“The Monaro is full of many worthwhile and hardworking community groups.

“Volunteers are the glue that holds many of these groups together. There are many groups that deserve to be recognised for all their dedication and hard work.”