FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the contribution of volunteers was the life-blood of any community and the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are a fantastic way to recognise these unpaid efforts.

He said the state-wide awards for the 2.4 million volunteers in NSW was now in its eighth year and is seeking nominations for this year’s program.

“Volunteers and their organisations are the foundation of our community and without organisations like the Red Cross, Country Women’s Association, Rotary, and the Salvation Army towns and cities right throughout the electorate are just collections of houses,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards program is run at regional and state levels, with 19 regions across NSW.

“I urge nominations to be submitted so our volunteers can be recognised at this year’s New England Regional Ceremony, which will be held at the Armidale City Bowling Club on Tuesday, 7 October,” he said.

There are five main categories for nominations which closes on 31 August - NSW Volunteer of the Year, Student, Youth, Adult and Senior.  NSW Volunteer Team of the Year nominations also closes on 31 August.

However, nominations for NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year, NSW Corporate Volunteer Team of the Year and NSW Excellence in NFP Volunteer Management all close on 31 October.

Nominate online or download a nomination form at www.volunteering.com.au/2014-awards.