Albany’s Joan Ward and Steve Marshall finalists in 2024 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards

Two Albany residents with a combined 126 years of volunteering experience have been nominated for the 2024 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards on Thursday, beating hundreds of finalists to make it to the top three in their categories. Joan Ward is up for the lifetime contribution to volunteering award, recognising her contribution to the Albany, Dumbleyung and Emu Point communities over 74 years. The 90-year-old has championed blood donation drives, run parents and citizens op shops, served on golf, badminton, tennis, waterskiing, lawn bowls, and social club committees, and is president of the Port of Albany Probus Club. Steve Marshall is nominated in the excellence in volunteer management category for organising 52 years of free Christmas lunches — 32 years in Rockingham, and the last 20 years in Albany. The popular Albany Free Community Christmas Luncheon offers a free buffet lunch at the Albany PCYC, ensuring no one need be alone on Christmas Day, and last year hosted more than 575 people. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on May 23, hosted at the Westin Perth. Run by Volunteering WA, the awards are in their 13th year, and coincide with National Volunteer Week from May 20-26.