The co-founder of Wardell CORE, Joel Orchard, has been named the 2026 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year, recognising his contribution to community connection, disaster preparedness and food relief through the Wardell Neighbourhood Centre.
Mr Orchard also received the Adult Volunteer of the Year award at the regional ceremony, hosted by The Centre for Volunteering at Twin Towns in Tweed Heads recently.
The recognition acknowledges his work coordinating volunteers, fundraising and developing partnerships to support the Centre’s food pantry, fresh produce program and community activities. It also recognises his contribution as volunteer CEO of Young Farmers Connect, supporting emerging farmers through field days and community-led knowledge sharing.
Wardell CORE
Established following the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, Wardell CORE has grown into a regional neighbourhood centre where people can access practical assistance, find company and connect with further support. The facility provides a wide range of general services for the community as well as help for people experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, domestic violence and suicide distress.
For Joel Orchard, the award is an opportunity to celebrate the team behind that work.
‘This is very special recognition, and I’m proud to share it with our Wardell Neighbourhood Centre team,’ he said.
‘So much of what happens at the Centre comes down to people giving their time and looking out for others. I’m grateful for their support and for everything we’ve built together.’
Mr Orchard said sharing the ceremony with volunteers from across the Northern Rivers was a highlight.
‘It was a privilege to be alongside people making extraordinary contributions to their communities. Hearing about their work was a reminder of how much our society depends on volunteers.
‘Awards like these are important because they give those contributions the recognition they deserve and help more people understand the value of volunteering.’
Other regional award recipients were Young Volunteer of the Year Holly Nehls, Senior Volunteer of the Year Kieran Smyth, Emergency Volunteer of the Year Drew Carr, and Volunteer Team of the Year, the Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, now in their 20th year, celebrate the contribution of individuals and volunteer teams across the state.
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