Sydney Community Connect founder Joumana Menzalji has been named 2026 Inner Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year, for her 30 years of service supporting newly arrived migrants, the elderly and multicultural communities.
Joumana was recognised on Wednesday 9 September at the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards at Club Burwood. The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering to help promote and support volunteering across NSW.
The Awards are now in their 20th year and celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
These individual and team awards were announced on the same day:
Inner Western Sydney Young Volunteer of the Year: Isla Costin from Chiswick
Isla volunteers at Kids Giving Back, the Australian Red Cross, and the Asylum Seekers Centre.
She helped establish 4GreaterGood, a youth-led organisation supporting people experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, displacement, and social disadvantage through meal programs, care packs, donation drives, fundraising campaigns, and community outreach.
Inner Western Sydney Adult Volunteer of the Year: Joumana Menzalji from Greenacre
Joumana founded Sydney Community Connect to support people experiencing financial or social hardship, including women, youth, the elderly, refugees, and newly arrived migrants.
The organisation provides emergency support, guidance, and social connection through cultural and sporting programs. She has volunteered for over three decades, overseeing youth soccer and archery programs, leading guided tours of Sydney, and teaching sewing and tailoring skills.
Inner Western Sydney Senior Volunteer of the Year: Tony Finneran from Padstow
Tony serves as a StrokeSafe Speaker for the Stroke Foundation, providing community education to culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
He sits on 14 health committees, participated in clinical studies, co-founded the Bankstown Stroke Support Group, advised Bankstown Hospital’s project development group, and advocated for accessibility via the Accessible Product Design Alliance.
Inner Western Sydney Emergency Volunteer of the Year: Patrick Quinane from Tempe
Patrick joined the NSW SES in Erskineville in 2023 and has completed over 230 hours of emergency response during storms, floods, and incidents. He clears fallen trees, manages flood hotspots, and prepares communities for severe weather events.
Inner Western Sydney Volunteer Team of the Year: Community Support Services Volunteers, Bankstown
The 20-member team runs the Village Pantry Kitchen and the Nourishing Our Neighbours program, preparing food hampers and warm meals for vulnerable residents.
They also run the Digital Sisters digital literacy initiative, sewing classes, counselling, art therapy, clothing drives, and support a local op shop.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said volunteers from across the Inner West give so much to the local community.
”Volunteers help build strong and healthy communities across the state,” Ms Rygate said.
“They are always there when we need them most, giving their time and support across all areas of life including health, emergency services, education and community sectors.”
“Volunteers are also role models for others, highlighting how volunteering can have such a positive impact on people and places. These awards celebrate the volunteering effort and impact.”
NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie Harrison said:
“Congratulations to our everyday heroes, the winners of the Inner Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards. From the bush to the sea, volunteers are the true heartbeat of our communities. Thank you for your invaluable contributions. You make New South Wales the best state to live in.”
Recipients will represent the region at the State Gala Award Ceremony in Sydney this December.
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