A Huge Congratulations to Our Very Own Kerrie Overell: 2026 WA Volunteer of the Year!
- admin67086
- May 22
- 2 min read
The secret is officially out, though to those of us here at WestAus Crisis & Welfare Services, it’s never been much of a secret: Kerrie Overell is an absolute legend.
Last Friday night at The Westin Perth, Kerrie was named the 2026 RAC WA Volunteer of the Year. While she’d be the first to tell you she doesn’t do it for the accolades, we couldn't be more excited to see her get this kind of recognition on the big stage.
More Than Just a Title
Kerrie isn’t just our Volunteer Co-ordinator; she’s the heart and soul of so much of what we do here in Mandurah. Whether she’s organising the rosters, sorting through donated clothes, or making sure the pantry is stocked, Kerrie is always the first one in and often the last one out.
In the last year alone, Kerrie has been the driving force behind:
The Healthy Breakfast Club: Making sure local kids start their school day with a full belly.
Refresh Showers: Helping over 4,000 people access a hot shower and a clean set of clothes - something many of us take for granted, but which means the world to someone doing it tough.
Christmas Hampers: Leading the charge to make sure every family in the Peel region has something to celebrate during the holidays.
A Note From Our CEO
Our CEO, Sandy Harvey, had the privilege of nominating Kerrie, and her words on the night really summed up how we all feel:
"Kerrie, you are so humble, but you never stop. Everything you do is about seeing a smile on someone else's face. This award is so well deserved, and from the whole WestAus staff, the board, and the wider Peel community - thank you for everything."
"It’s About Compassion"
True to form, when Kerrie spoke after the announcement, she kept the focus on the people we serve. She’s been volunteering since she was a teenager and says it’s her "greatest purpose."
She put it perfectly: "I’ve always tried to do what I’d hope someone would do for me if I was in a hard place. It’s just about bringing a bit of respect and compassion back into the community."
Want to Get Involved?
We are so lucky to have Kerrie leading the way, but as she always says, we can’t do it alone. If you’ve got a bit of time to spare and want to help us support the Mandurah community, we’d love to have you on board.
Whether it's a few hours a week or helping out with a specific programme, you'll be joining a team that - thanks to leaders like Kerrie - feels more like a family.
Congrats again, Kerrie. We’re so proud of you!
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