Norfolk Islander article for Volunteer awards

This year’s theme for National Volunteer Week is ‘Your Year to Volunteer’. It highlights both the importance of volunteering and the opportunity for more people to become involved.

On Thursday 28 May 2026 we recognised and celebrated the contribution of our volunteers across Norfolk Island, and the vital role volunteering plays in bringing people together. I thank those who already give their time and encourage others to consider how volunteering can foster connection, purpose and a lasting positive change.

It is hard to imagine Norfolk Island without volunteers. The spirit of giving, sharing and helping others is embedded in the culture of Norfolk Island. Volunteering reflects this tradition—it is about people supporting people, strengthening community and contributing to something greater than themselves.

Volunteering has a significant and positive impact on the strength and resilience of our community. It supports individuals and organisations to flourish and contributes to the overall wellbeing of Norfolk Island.

While we know that volunteering is undertaken selflessly and without expectation of recognition, on Thursday we took the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of some of our leading lights . Whether you have contributed over many years or have only recently become involved, and regardless of the time you are able to give, your contribution is important and valued.

Please know that your efforts are sincerely appreciated. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and commitment to our community.

The recipients of the 2026 Norfolk Island Volunteer awards for each category were:

Senior Volunteer of the Year – Maureen King and Lynn Mosley

Adult Volunteer of the Year – Kris ‘Scotty’ Goodall

Volunteer Team of the Year – Boomerang Bags and the Community House KLC

Volunteer of the Year – James Walden, Sean Ellard, Elliot Evans, Jax Evans, Phoenix Evans, Michael Griffiths, Dylyn Schmetzer, Jesse Schiller, BJ Peters, William Christian-Bailey, Alisdair Bosley, and Abel Morgan

Congratulations to all of the award recipients and everyone that was nominated. You are all winners and our community wins through your efforts.

Remember National Volunteer Week next year and be sure to nominate the volunteers that you believe should be recognised publicly for their service to the community.

2026 Norfolk Island Volunteer award recipients

Maureen King - Since first visiting Norfolk in 1968 as a teacher bringing students to experience the Island, Maureen has maintained a lifelong connection here, ultimately making Norfolk Island her home in 1999. What followed has been decades of quiet, committed service.

Through her business, New Kids on the Block, and her much-loved Christmas Letterbox to the North Pole, Maureen created connection, joy and lasting memories for generations of Island children. Behind the scenes, she has also spent more than 20 years refurbishing and providing hearing aids to those in need, a deeply compassionate contribution that has improved many lives.

Her long-standing leadership with QUOTA Norfolk Island, including many years as President, reflects her integrity, humility and unwavering dedication to service. Under her leadership, countless community initiatives have flourished, benefiting islanders across all walks of life.

Maureen is a true quiet achiever whose impact is deeply felt across Norfolk Island — making her an outstanding and worthy award recipient.

Lynn Mosley - Lynn has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Norfolk Island community through both formal and informal volunteering.

She is respectful of island traditions and culture and is actively involved in a range of community activities.

Lynn volunteers with St Johns Ambulance, she serves as an office bearer with the Norfolk Island Garden Club, contributes to Boomerang Bags and volunteers regularly at the Knowledge and Learning Centre, assisting and welcoming members. Lynn also greets visitors on arrival, helping to create a positive first impression of Norfolk Island.

Since arriving just over five years ago, Lynn has quietly and consistently contributed wherever she is needed. Her generosity, humility and positive spirit make her a highly deserving recipient of the Senior volunteer award.

Kris ‘Scotty’ Goodall - From his early involvement with the Phillip Island Restoration Project, Scotty stood out as a hardworking, dependable and positive volunteer, willing to take on any task — from heavy fieldwork to the careful, detailed removal of invasive weeds under challenging conditions. His commitment saw him dedicate three weeks on Phillip Island, even while balancing full-time work — a “weeding holiday”, as he described it, reflecting his remarkable enthusiasm and spirit.

Beyond Phillip Island, Scotty continues to give generously of his time with the Coral Berry Crusaders and the Friends of the National Park, contributing to the protection and restoration of Norfolk Island’s natural environment.

Humble and quietly committed, Scotty’s work—often unseen—will have lasting benefits for generations to come. His dedication, generosity, and good humour make him an exceptional volunteer and a most worthy recipient of this award.

Boomerang Bags - For a decade, this dedicated group has worked tirelessly to support the community while promoting sustainability, producing about 40,000 reusable shopping bags and, on average, 320 to 400 bags each month. Using donated and salvaged fabric, they have diverted significant waste from landfill and provided a practical alternative to plastic across the Island.

Beyond shopping bags, their work extends to schoolbook bags, vegetable and snorkelling bags, support for community initiatives such as Wetis on Wheels and thoughtful items for residents in aged care — reflecting both creativity and care.

Importantly, Boomerang Bags is about more than making bags. It is about connection, inclusion and fostering sustainable behaviours — bringing together local volunteers, students and even visitors in a shared purpose.

Their collective effort has made a lasting and visible impact on Norfolk Island, making them a most deserving recipient of this award.

Community House Knowledge and Learning Centre team - Through their dedicated service at the Knowledge and Learning Centre, these volunteers have created an inclusive and welcoming space for the community. By maintaining a reliable roster, they ensure consistent access to this valuable facility, generously donated for the benefit of all islanders.

Their contributions extend far beyond supervision — from assisting visitors with technology and sharing local knowledge, to cataloguing resources, maintaining equipment, and preserving the centre’s functionality and appeal. They approach every task with professionalism, warmth, and a genuine commitment to helping others.

It is their teamwork, reliability and shared sense of purpose that have transformed the Knowledge and Learning Centre into a thriving community hub, fostering learning, connection and opportunity.

The Community House team exemplifies the very best of volunteer service, making them truly deserving of this recognition.

The following Volunteer Awards recognise the many individuals involved in the water rescue at Slaughter Bay.

What began as a normal day at the beach quickly became a moment of crisis, calling upon the courage and instinct of those nearby. In response, multiple community members, both young and old, acted without hesitation, entering the water with bravery and determination in an effort to assist visitors in distress.

While the event was tragic, it powerfully demonstrated the strength, compassion, and skill within our community. Their selfless actions, undertaken in challenging and dangerous conditions, are a testament to the character of Norfolk Island and the deep care its people hold for others.

Their response also serves as an important reminder of the value of water safety awareness and preparedness.

It is in recognition of this extraordinary courage and generosity of spirit that we honour these individuals with Volunteer of the Year awards.

James Walden Sean Ellard Elliot Evans

Jax Evans Phoenix Evans Michael Griffiths

Dylyn Schmetzer Jesse Schiller BJ Peters

William Christian-Bailey

We acknowledge that many more community members were involved in this incident who have not been named for various reasons. Their contributions were equally important, and we recognise their efforts with sincere gratitude.

The following Volunteer of the Year Awards recognise Alisdair Bosley and Abel Morgan for their involvement in the water rescue at Cemetery Beach.

We take this opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable actions of Alisdair and Abel during a separate incident at Cemetery Beach, where their swift and courageous response saved two young sullen from being swept out to sea. Their decisive intervention exemplifies the same spirit of bravery and community mindedness that we honour today.