Steve Waller was nominated for both Citizen of the Year and Volunteer Services at the recent Mid-Western Regional Council Awards, and won the Volunteer Services Award. He was nominated by Mudgee Baptist Church, Mudgee Performing Arts Society and Mudgee Disability Support Services as a joint nomination, to recognise Steve’s contribution to all three organisations.

“Steve is a real lynchpin at MBC” said Aidan Luke, pastor of the Baptist Church “As well as helping to organise our sound desk, he’s a part of our volunteer children’s and youth ministry teams. We’re grateful to have him as part of the church family”.

Heather Rushton, immediate past president of Mudgee Performing Arts Society agrees “Steve is always on hand to come up with ideas and is a mainstay of our stage production team. And he’s always a cheerful and positive influence on everyone”.

Steve also plays an important volunteer role with Mudgee Disability Support Service, where he chairs the Client Committee which oversees social programs and outings. He has mentored many other young clients, as well as lending his tech expertise to the office, assisting with PowerPoint presentations and taking part in MDSS theatrical productions. “MDSS pays tribute to Steve’s commitment and perseverance. He really deserves this award, and we give him our hearty congratulations” says Christine Puxty, CEO of Mudgee Disability Support Service. “MDSS was thrilled to nominate him”.

As well as all of this, Steve serves on the Mid-Western Regional Council's Mudgee and Gulgong Access Committee, and also the Celebration of Ability Committee, a group which seeks to raise the profile of the contribution disabled people make to local communities.

Steve paid thanks to his three nominating organisations, saying that he felt proud to serve both them and Mudgee. “Thank you so much, Mudgee community, and to these three great organisations. I love working with them.”

“He really is a role model for enthusiasm and selfless volunteering,” said Pastor Luke.