IN PICTURES: Dedication of Great Southern volunteers recognised at annual Volunteer of the Year Awards

The hard work and compassion of the Great Southern’s volunteers was brought under the spotlight at the Albany Entertainment Centre on Thursday night with the annual Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Albany State Emergency Service volunteer Ben Whittle took home the coveted Volunteer of the Year honour for his work helping residents and visitors to the Great Southern in emergency situations including bushfires, floods and rescues.

The Albany Historic Whaling Station won the Volunteer Organisation of the Year award for their dedication to creating a space for volunteers to help keep Albany’s whaling heritage alive.

The Singability Choir opened the event, which is organised by Albany and Regional Volunteer Service, with songs relating to the theme of volunteering and connecting communities, the audience sang and clapped along.

Musical breaks from The Offsiders, and Laurie Smithers kept guests entertained all night between presentations, speeches, and awards.

City of Albany mayor Greg Stocks addressed the gathered crowd, recalling times during his stint in local government when he had seen the Great Southern community come together to help or support someone in need.

Co-founder of Albany Community Foundation and director of Merrifield Real Estate Jeremy Stewart took the stage as a guest speaker, sharing anecdotes from his time with the foundation.

“Never underestimate the impact you can have simply by showing up... your time and your heart do more good than you know,” he said.

City of Albany’s Kore Ford also spoke to the group, talking about their experience as a young volunteer.