NSW Volunteer of the year

A North Coast man who drives isolated patients to their renal dialysis treatments has been named 2013 NSW Volunteer of the Year, Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello announced today.

Mr Dominello presented the award to 64-year-old Kenneth Bolt from Ballina in a ceremony at the Kirribilli Club in Sydney on International Volunteer Day.

“As a community transport volunteer driver, Kenneth drives up to 100 kilometres a day to help frail patients living in isolated communities get to life-saving treatment.

“A proud Aboriginal man of the Bundjalung nation, Kenneth has been volunteering for more than a decade. During this time he has completed approximately 3,500 trips, driving frail and sick people nearly 150,000 kilometres,” Mr Dominello said.

Using his own car or a service-owned vehicle, Kenneth picks up his passengers from their homes, helping them into the car and driving them to renal units at Ballina or Lismore base hospital. He then takes them home following four to six long treatment sessions.

“Kidney disease is a serious problem especially among remote Aboriginal communities. Some sufferers feel uncomfortable seeking medical treatment but Kenneth has successfully bridged a divide through his tireless work,” Mr Dominello said.

“He provides his invaluable services three days per week, all year round, including public holidays and Christmas time, sometimes getting caught in Northern Rivers weather events.

“For his extraordinary dedication, commitment and attitude, there can be no doubt that Kenneth Bolt is a worthy winner of this prestigious award. Today the NSW Government, and the people of NSW, say thank you,” he said.

The annual awards program is run by The Centre for Volunteering.

“Today’s celebration demonstrates the importance that the community and the NSW Government place on volunteering. What a tremendous way to mark International Volunteer Day,” CEO of the Centre for Volunteering Lynne Dalton said.

NSW has over two million volunteers, who collectively give 240 million hours each year and whose work is estimated to add $5 billion to our economy.