The annual awards celebrate and acknowledge community members whose generosity, commitment and civic spirit make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Volunteers from across the City were recognised for their outstanding contributions that are given beyond the expectations of paid employment or formal roles.
The City received a strong response from the community, with dozens of nominations highlighting the breadth and impact of volunteering across Rockingham. Twenty eight finalists were invited to attend the awards ceremony, which brought together volunteers, supporters, and community leaders for an evening of recognition and celebration.
City of Rockingham Mayor Lorna Buchan said the calibre of nominees reflected the strength and compassion of the Rockingham community.
“As Mayor, I feel privileged to represent a City defined by generosity, service and civic pride,” Mayor Buchan said.
“Volunteers play a vital role in our community. Their willingness to give their time and talents, often behind the scenes, continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
The awards were presented as part of the National Volunteer Week celebration, which highlights the vital role volunteers play across Australia and encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in ways that suit their lives.
2026 Volunteer Recognition Award winners
- Volunteer of the Year – Lynne Sadler, Anglicare WA and Roses in the Ocean, Lion Heart Camp
- Young Volunteer of the Year – Austin Green, Rockingham City Football Club
- Senior Volunteer of the Year – Ronald Wade, Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
- People Who Make a Difference Award – Monica Morunga, Feed it Forward
- Act Belong Commit Award – Ian Finch, Rockingham Field Archers
- Community Volunteer Organisation Award – Rockingham General Hospital Auxiliary
Mayor Buchan congratulated all finalists and winners, acknowledging that their contributions strengthen community connection, wellbeing and resilience across the city.
For more information about volunteering opportunities, contact the Rockingham Volunteer Centre on 9528 8670, visit rockingham.wa.gov.au/volunteering, or email volunteering@rockingham.wa.gov.au.
Winners’ Bios
Lynne Sadler is an exceptional peer volunteer whose five‑year commitment to Anglicare WA’s ARBOR program has made a profound difference to people in the Rockingham community bereaved by suicide. Lynne’s compassion and leadership in local groups have significantly strengthened participant engagement, trust and long‑term recovery outcomes. In addition to her direct peer support work, Lynne plays a key role in strengthening the peer workforce by contributing to volunteer recruitment, supporting training delivery and mentoring newly appointed peer volunteers.
Austin Green is an exceptional young volunteer with Rockingham City Football Club, where he contributes both on and off the field as a player, coach and committed club supporter. In addition to playing for the club, Austin coaches the Under 11s team, and is also an active supporter of the club’s inclusion program, regularly volunteering at Saturday home games, assisting with everything from pitch set‑up and line running to equipment and canteen support.
Ronald Wade has been a dedicated member of the Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club since 1998, contributing more than 25 years of outstanding volunteer service. Over that time, Ron has played an active role in nearly every aspect of the club, including serving as Vice President, Surfboat Captain, Patrol Captain and patrolling member. An integral part of the club’s continued success, Ron remains deeply committed, contributing 45 volunteer hours in the most recent season alone.
Monica Morunga founded Feed it Forward in 2019 after recognising a growing number of families in the community struggling to make ends meet. What began with food collection from a single supermarket has grown into a substantial not‑for‑profit organisation, now collecting surplus food from more than 200 locations across Western Australia. In January 2026 alone, Feed it Forward diverted 344,400 kilograms of food from landfill, supporting over 38,000 families and nearly 2,000 community groups.
Ian Finch has played a pivotal role in building a strong, inclusive community through Rockingham Field Archers since the club was established in 2016, serving as President from 2017. Under his leadership, the club has grown to more than 80 active members aged from 10 to 78 years, fostering physical activity, mental wellbeing and social connection across generations. Ian’s ongoing commitment exemplifies the Act Belong Commit values and has made a lasting positive impact in the Rockingham community.
For more than 50 years, the Rockingham General Hospital Auxiliary has supported patients, families and staff through its entirely volunteer‑run café and gift shop. With 105 local volunteers contributing over 30,000 hours each year, the Auxiliary raises vital funds that support education scholarships for hospital staff and strengthen local patient care.