The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now in their 20th year and celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
Congratulations to the 2026 Award winners for the Inner Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards.
2026 Inner Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year
Sydney Community Connect founder Joumana Menzalji has been named 2026 Inner Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year, for 30 years of service supporting newly arrived migrants, the elderly and multicultural communities.
The category winners for the regional awards are:
2026 Inner Western Sydney Young Volunteer of the Year
Isla Costin
Isla volunteers at Kids Giving Back and has also volunteered with the Australian Red Cross and the Asylum Seekers Centre.
She helped establish 4GreaterGood, an organisation led by young people that is focused on supporting people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, displacement, and social disadvantage. She gives her time with the group’s meal programs, care pack initiatives, donation drives, fundraising campaigns, and community outreach activities that provide practical support to those in need.
2026 Inner Western Sydney Adult Volunteer of the Year
Joumana Menzalji
Joumana founded Sydney Community Connect to support people experiencing financial or social hardship, including women, youth, the elderly, refugees and newly arrived migrants.
The organisation provides emergency support, guidance and social connection through cultural and sporting programs. She has volunteered for over three decades, overseeing youth soccer and archery programs, running guided tours of Sydney, and providing sewing and tailoring skills.
2026 Inner Western Sydney Senior Volunteer of the Year
Tony Finneran
Tony gives his time as a StrokeSafe Speaker for the Stroke Foundation, assisting with community education, particularly among culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
He is a member of 14 local, district and state health committees and has participated in clinical studies, co-founded the Bankstown Stroke Support Group, provided advice to Bankstown Hospital’s project development group, and advocated for accessibility through the Accessible Product Design Alliance.
2026 Inner Western Sydney Emergency Volunteer of the Year
Patrick Quinane
Patrick joined the NSW SES in Erskineville in 2023 and has since completed more than 230 hours of skill-intense emergency response during storms, floods and other incidents.
He has cleared fallen trees and managed flood hotspots, and helped communities prepare in the lead up to significant weather events. His expertise in disaster response supports impacted residents and strengthens community resilience.
2026 Inner Western Sydney Volunteer Team of the Year
Community Support Services Volunteers
The 20 members of the Community Support Services Volunteers run the Village Pantry Kitchen and contribute to the Nourishing Our Neighbours outreach program, preparing food hampers so vulnerable people and those facing homelessness receive warm meals.
They also support the Digital Sisters initiative to assist older members of the community with digital literacy, run sewing classes, offer counselling and art therapy sessions, collect, sort and donate clothing; and support a local op shop to raise funds for community programs.
2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Sponsors
