Care for Hedland cleans up community volunteer organisation of the year award

Care for Hedland Environmental Association has cleaned up with a top award at the 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Held on May 15 ahead of National Volunteer Week, the ceremony honoured the tireless efforts of volunteers from across Western Australia, with 21 stand-out finalists selected from a pool of 230 nominations.

“I was really humbled and proud to hear that we won the award. I started the organisation, so it’s really humbling to receive this recognition,” Care for Hedland Environmental Association operations manager Kelly Howlett said.

Fresh off their community volunteer organisation of the year award win, Care for Hedland is charging forward with new projects.

“We’re looking to do a repair cafe, we’re also starting our food waste diversion program – aimed at stopping food from going to landfill which creates methane gas,” Ms Howlett said.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to do more dune rehabilitation, turtle interpretive work, hopefully a pop-up turtle interpretive centre and most importantly, continuing to involve anyone and everyone.”

For more than 20 years, Care for Hedland has been a driving force behind some of the region’s highest impact environmental initiatives.

From turtle monitoring and dune rehabilitation to community gardens and Containers for Change, the organisation blends grassroots action with big-picture sustainability.

Its flatback turtle monitoring program, a signature initiative, enlists volunteers to track and protect the nesting activity of the vulnerable flatback species across Cemetery, Pretty Pool and Spoilbank beaches.

Volunteering WA chief executive Tina Williams said award recipients exemplified the highest standards of service and altruism, proving that every individual has the power to create meaningful change.

“This year’s winners are ambassadors for connecting communities, and show us that with passion, dedication and selflessness, any one of us has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of others,” she said.

“Congratulations Kelly, and the Care for Hedland team, including their passionate 660 volunteers. You are making real impact on the community through your environmental conservation and sustainability programs; and by connecting people through volunteering.”