Senior Volunteering Award
October 4, 2019
2019 Mayor’s Award for Contribution to Volunteering
Congratulations to Dawn Fischer, Leader of the 1st Sebastopol Guide unit, for receiving the Volunteer Award component of the City of Ballarat’s 2019 Senior of the Year Awards. The award presentation was scheduled less than 24 hours after she attended a 6 day outdoor Girl Guide camp and just a few hours before running an online meeting for the Lions Club.
This award recognises local residents aged 55 years and older who have made a significant contribution to the Ballarat community. Dawn was nominated for the award based on her current service to local Girl Guides, Sebastopol Senior Citizens and Sebastopol Lions Club. The citation highlighted the enormous amount of time she has dedicated to various service organisations over many, many years and the volunteer work she continues to provide.
At the age of 72, Dawn demonstrates whole hearted commitment to the community of Ballarat and makes a positive contribution to her community in Ballarat and throughout Victoria.
Dawn is well known in Guiding as the Leader of 1st Sebastopol Girl Guide Unit for the last 39 years. She leads the team who plan the weekly programs for 10-17 year old youth members, runs the camps and activities, accompanies the Guides to interstate jamborees, maintains the finances, organises fundraising and handles all the administration tasks. She instills good values and leads by example, sleeps in tents at outdoor camps, encourages youth members to accept challenges and promotes community service where opportunties arise.
We all know the time commitment required for Guiding, but at the same time, Dawn has also managed:
- 27 years of service to Sebastopol Lions Club (17 years of these were after becoming a ‘Senior Citizen’). She has been President (several times), Secretary (numerous times), and Bulletin Editor (countless times) as well as BBQ and Catering Chairman.
- held positions with Lions International at district level, being a member of Cabinet, and Zone Chairman. Currently Cabinet Secretary for District 201V1-4
- held committee positions with the Sebastopol Senior Citizens Club since 2010. Currently Treasurer.
In the past, Dawn has also provided service as a volunteer at the Sebastopol Kindergarten, Redan Primary School, Sebastopol Lioness Club, Meals on Wheels program and Delacombe Venturer Scouts.
Dawn is an inspirational role model to many in her community. She demonstrates that age is no barrier to participation and both her enthusiasm and energy are infectious.
