Aunty Gail Daylight Named Mid-Western Sydney’s Volunteer of the Year

Kamilaroi woman and respected Elder, Gail Daylight, has been celebrated for her extensive work and mentorship at the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, taking out the Mid-Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year.

Hosted in Burwood on Wednesday, Aunty Gail was recognised for her work at youth homelessness service Stepping Stone, where she’s been providing support to First Nations children and young people who are experiencing, or are at risk of homelessness since retiring a decade ago.

She has worked with The Jimmy Little Foundation, the Cancer Centre at Dubbo Hospital, the Youth Koori Court, the Surry Hills and Parramatta courts as an Aboriginal Elder, and as a member of the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern.

Aunty Gail was also awarded with the Senior NSW Volunteer of the Year.

The accolades come following more than three decades working in Aboriginal Health, which saw her inducted into NSW Aboriginal Health Hall of Fame at the NSW Aboriginal Health Awards in 2012.

Volunteers underpin a more “compassionate” society

The Centre for Volunteering’s NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards has been helping to promote and support volunteering across the state for 19 years, recognising and celebrating  the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.

CEO Gemma Rygate said volunteers often come forward in difficult times to meet and meet crisis with compassion.

“Volunteers are the quiet force, whether helping ease cost of living pressures, supporting those in crisis or responding on the front line of floods, fires and emergencies,”she said.

“Their dedication isn’t just admirable; it underpins a more resilient and compassionate society. These exceptional individuals give selflessly – often while juggling careers, study, and family life – yet they still choose to show up for others when it matters most.”

Also recognised for her contributions to the community was Year 11 student, Nour Arabi, who helps to run programs empowering young girls from CALD communities, and to prepare and distribute nutritious meals and care packages to women and families experiencing hardship; and university volunteer Anmol Kamath, who balances providing practical and mental health support to international students along with his studies.

Kamath’s work with disaster relief organisation Sewa Australia was also acknowledged, where his knowledge of twelve languages saw him travel to the Northern Rivers region to work on flood rebuilds and counselling.

NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie Harrison, said the winners had been recognised as heroes by the people in their communities who know them best.

“Thank you for your ongoing contributions, which make New South Wales the best state to live and work in,” she said. ‘These awards are an important way we recognise your passion and dedication to your local communities.

“The NSW Government is continuing to work with The Centre for Volunteering to build a more diverse and inclusive volunteering sector so that all our volunteers feel respected and acknowledged for their work.”