2025 Illawarra Volunteer of the Year Award winner Gloria Rohov (centre) with (l-r) Richard Martin, Tania Brown, Sara Moylan, Anna Watson, Cameron McDonald and Chris Homer. Photo: Supplied.
Thirroul volunteer Gloria Rohov has been named 2025 Illawarra Volunteer of the Year for what she says “doesn’t feel like work” in helping bring hope to those in need at Anglicare Wollongong.
Gloria has dedicated 12 years of her life to helping the Illawarra’s most vulnerable residents put food on the table and arrange essential bill relief during hardship.
Now in its 19th year, NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering to help promote and support volunteering across NSW, with five Illawarra individuals and teams honoured across different categories on Monday (1 September).
Gloria was also recognised as Illawarra Senior Volunteer of the Year.
Since 2013, she has been a cornerstone of Anglicare’s Wollongong office, where she assesses people for the State Government’s Energy Payment Assistance Scheme.
Gloria’s role involves advocating for people struggling to pay utility bills, negotiating with electricity companies and ensuring clients receive proper concession rebates.
She also helps coordinate emergency food parcels, supports non-English-speaking clients and mentors fellow volunteers.
“After I left work, I wanted to do something worthwhile,” Gloria said.
“I saw a notice in our Anglican Church bulletin about Anglicare needing volunteers, so I went along.”
That simple response to a church notice has evolved into something Gloria is now passionate about.
She said she had witnessed changing needs in the community during her 12-year tenure.
“These days, high rents are making it very difficult for people on pensions,” she said.
“We’re also seeing more single mothers and women who have faced domestic violence trying to set up new lives.”
Despite the challenging circumstances her clients face, Gloria said she found deep satisfaction in her volunteer work due to its ability to make a difference in someone’s life.
“It’s a pleasure to be there because you’re part of the team,” she said.
“It doesn’t feel like work – it’s kind of a day out for me. It’s nice to think you’re doing something to help other people.”
Gloria was recognised alongside the inaugural Illawarra Emergency Volunteer of the Year recipient Margaret Vincent from Avondale, who has volunteered for 40 years with St John Ambulance NSW, providing clinical leadership at major events and during disasters, including Cyclone Alfred and northern NSW floods.
Illawarra Young Volunteer of the Year was awarded to to Chae Conte, Windang Surf Club’s 18-year-old club captain who has volunteered at the club since joining as a Nipper 12 years ago.
Jamberoo Rural Fire Service captain Hannah McInerney was named Illawarra Adult Volunteer of the Year after becoming the brigade’s first female captain and now, at 33, overseeing more than 180 emergency incident responses per year, including bushfires, floods and emergency operations.
Illawarra Volunteer Team of the Year was awarded to Illawarra Bereavement and Palliative Care Volunteers, who offer comfort to people in palliative care and their loved ones, both in hospitals and at home, along with supporting the bereaved as Grief Companions.
Going the extra mile, some undertake biography training to offer up to six weeks of recording a person’s life story and putting it into a bound book, with photos.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said in difficult times, volunteers often came forward to meet a crisis with compassion.
“Volunteers are the quiet force, whether helping ease cost of living pressures, supporting those in crisis or responding on the front line of floods, fires and emergencies,” Ms Rygate said.
“Their dedication isn’t just admirable; it underpins a more resilient and compassionate society.”
Anglicare continues to seek volunteers and donations, particularly food items. Those interested in volunteering can contact the Wollongong office on 1300 651 728.
