HAYLEY JOHN - NSW VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—The Hunter Region NSW Volunteer of the Year awards in late 2022 saw outstanding nominees showcased. I am proud to say that the Hunter Region Young Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Maitland's own Hayley Johns from Bolwarra Heights. Hayley studies Podiatry at the University of Newcastle and was nominated through her continued support of the Hunter River Agricultural and Horticulture Association and the Maitland Show. She was a former Ms Maitland, Maitland Youth Ambassador and Youth Representative on the Maitland Business Chamber Committee. Hayley has also shown dedication to the community through her support work with the National Rural Health Student Network, as a first responder at St John Ambulance, in the local SES and Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health. Hayley believes "Volunteering is a great opportunity for people to challenge themselves. If it doesn't challenge you then it doesn't change you and in my experience the more I've challenged myself the more I've grown from that as a person, and being able to help others while doing it is really special." I congratulate Hayley on being recognised for her significant volunteering efforts.