Communities from Lismore and across the Northern Rivers region are being urged to get behind their local volunteer finalists for the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.

The Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year finalists will join more than 200 of their peers in Sydney next month at a gala celebration to help mark the announcement of the NSW Volunteer of Year for 2024.

The finalists include Goonellabah's Leoni Byron-Jackson, who helped establish the Northern Rivers branch of the NSW Wildlife Rescue Service more than 20 years ago, and she has continued to lead and volunteer there across many different roles.

She is also a small mammals expert, having trained hundreds of volunteers in how to care for echidnas, possums and gliders. She has become an essential conduit between animal rescuers and local vets, police, wildlife hospitals, and businesses.

Leonie was named Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year 2024 at a ceremony in October at Twin Towers.

The NSW Volunteer of the Year finalists were chosen from 25 regions across the state and announced at local and regional celebrations over the past few months.

The Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year finalists for 2024 are:

• Northern Rivers Young Volunteer of the Year: Jackson Whitney from NSW SES (Yamba)

• Northern Rivers Adult Volunteer of the Year: Simone Clark from Wardell CORE, Orange Sky and Mary’s Place (Ballina)

• Northern Rivers Senior Volunteer of the Year: Leoni Byron-Jackson from WIRES (Goonellabah)

• Northern Rivers Volunteer Team of the Year: Agape Outreach

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said the awards had uncovered countless stories of people giving their time to help build better and stronger communities.

“More than 4 million people volunteer each year across NSW, contributing a staggering $178 billion in social and economic benefits,” Ms Rygate said.

“Volunteers across the Northern Rivers region are an important part of this incredible effort. We wish the Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year finalists the very best for the state awards.

“Most importantly, we thank all the volunteers across the region for their selfless and remarkable contribution.”

The 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards Gala ceremony will be held in Sydney on Tuesday, 10 December.