Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast held their annual Volunteer Awards ceremony on Saturday (December 9) to celebrate the organisation’s hardworking volunteers with a special luncheon and to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of nine volunteers.
Each year Lifeline Broken Hill Country to Coast (LLBHC2C) hold Volunteer Awards in recognition of the tireless work of all volunteers across a wide range of activities to achieve Lifeline Australia’s vision – an Australia free of suicide.
This year was no exception with volunteers recognised for five, 10, 15, and 20 years of service, along with nine award recipients honoured during Saturday’s volunteer award luncheon for their outstanding achievements while working with the organisation.
The 2023 recipient of the Des Griffith Memorial Service Award went to local grazier, long-distance swimmer, and LLBHC2C Ambassador, Brendan Cullen.
Named in honour of the late Des Griffiths JP, visionary leader and founding member of LLBHC2C back in 1964, the Des Griffith Memorial Service Award serves as recognition for individuals or groups who have made noteworthy contributions to the organisation and its mission.
“When I was given the opportunity to walk into Lifeline and have the Ambassadorship bestowed on me, as well as my great friend Amanda Johnson, it was fulfilling in the sense that it gave me a platform to be able to reach out and help other people,” said Mr Cullen. “That platform opened up a world for me that I would never have dreamed of.”
Mr Cullen’s recognition stems from his exceptional work as an Ambassador for Lifeline since 2018 where he has dedicated himself to various community outreach initiatives – including How’s Ya Mate and We’ve Got Your Back – aimed at promoting mental health awareness and local support services.
LLBHC2C said that Mr Cullen’s fundraising through open water long distance swimming made him a standout choice.
“Mr Cullen’s recognition was well-deserved for his enormous fundraising efforts after taking on the formidable challenge of swimming the English Channel as a solo swimmer in July 2022, and again in September this year as part of a relay team,” said a LLBHC2C spokesperson.
“Through hundreds of hours of preparation and successfully swimming the English Channel, Mr Cullen has raised over $40,000 for Lifeline’s local suicide prevention services.”
To find out more about How’s Ya Mate, visit https://www.howsyamate.org.au/
PICTURE: (From left) Robert Martin Amanda Johnson and Jenny Wilmore. SUPPLIED
