Honour Roll
Volunteer Awards
At the end of each season, DWA recognises the contribution and commitment of all our volunteers. As an organisation that supports our members in finding their freedom on snow, we are grateful for the army of volunteers that make this aspiration possible.
DWA also formally recognises the contribution of a few individuals that have the capacity and commitment to go ‘above and beyond’ the expectations of our volunteers.
In addition to the Simon Lo Schiavo Volunteer of the Year Award, we also recognise local and state exemplars of volunteering with DWA.
Simon Lo Schiavo Volunteer of the Year Award
On 25th June 2016, DWA lost a dedicated volunteer and life member. Simon Lo Schiavo was introduced to the organisation in 1987 and in the years following took on various roles, including guide, program coordinator, equipment manager and general dog’s body.
Simon took great pleasure in seeing DWA members get on snow and putting a smile on people’s faces. In recognition of his dedication to DWA and its members, our Volunteer of the Year Award is named in his honour.
The Simon Lo Schiavo Volunteer of the Year is a volunteer who has:
Gone above and beyond expectations,
Volunteered a large number of days, or,
Stepped up their skills or responsibilities.
From 2016 onwards, the following exceptional DWA volunteers have been recipients of the award.
2016 - Mark Soyer
Mark is a world cup mono-skier and utilised his sit-ski expertise on programs with members from Disability Sport and Recreation and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre and on our advanced mono-ski program. He was also the lead coach for DWA's athletes at Race Week and feedback about his coaching was overwhelming, with the athletes valuing his experience.
2017 - Mark Parfuss
Mark has been volunteering for DWA since 2013, accompanying our members on the snow in both Victoria and New South Wales. He has also volunteered his time to train new guides at our ski resorts. In 2017 Mark volunteered to manage the coordination of the vehicles for DWA’s Victorian camp program, helping keep the program running smoothly. Mark also volunteered on our camp and training programs for ten days. Mark continues to volunteer with great enthusiasm and a very big grin on his face.
2018 - Daniel van der Ploeg
A Mt. Beauty local, Daniel participated in a great number of camps throughout the 2018 season, providing quality guiding and company to the participants he worked with. Daniel is well loved by guides and participants alike, giving everyone the time of day, respect and understanding that they deserve. He works with participants to achieve their goals, because he asks what they want to do and doesn't assume he knows best.
2019 - Beth Chaffers
Nominated by Perisher Resort Services Co-ordinator Ursina Kradolfer and Thredbo Resort Services Co-ordinator Craig Stonestreet. Beth did the first new guide training and was available from then onwards. Very engaged, very capable and always keen to learn more - just a pleasure to work with. In 2019 she volunteered for thirteen resort services guide days and assisted with many of our camps in New South Wales.
2020 & 2021 - No awards due to COVID-19 and restricted operations
2022 - Ian ‘Whitey’ White
Ian is capable across all guiding types with outstanding personable manner with a broad range of members. He has been a trainer with all new guide training camps at Mt. Hotham and has been a regular at casual training each week. He is a great advocate for DWA on the mountain, being a regular helper with weekly fundraising activities and for building relationships with current and future supporters of DWA. Ian is also a volunteer on DWA’s Alpine Access Network committee and continues to provide a significant contribution to the goals of the group.
2023 - Stuart Smith
Over the course of the season Stuart's commitment rose to the next level. He increased his immense enthusiasm throughout for DWA causes, operations and objectives. Always willing to put his hand up to volunteer whenever needed both on and off snow and increased his amazing set of on-snow guiding skills – approached challenges with a can-do attitude, encouraging to other guides and members alike. As well as the fine work, good humour and level of respect he delivered at Mt Hotham, he also spent three weeks in New South Wales providing a much needed additional resource and cross-pollinating ideas between resorts and states and building goodwill. In total, Stuart volunteered forty days across Mt Hotham, Perisher and Thredbo.
State Awards 2022
New South Wales: John Russell and Ned Scanlan
Victoria: Peter Gough
State Awards 2023
New South Wales: Anne McGeechan
Victoria: Zac Howard
Resort Awards 2023
New South Wales
New South Wales Camps Guide of the Year: Rhonda Stewart
New South Wales Camps Rookie Guide of the Year: Lily Godding
New South Wales Camps Most Improved Guide: Verity Davis-Raiss
Thredbo Guide of the Year: Ned Scanlan
Thredbo Rookie of the Year: Don Maye
Thredbo Most Improved Guide: Terry McHugh
Perisher Guide of the Year: Josh Brown
Perisher Rookie of the Year: Craig Junor
Perisher Most Improved Guide: Emma Tate
Victoria
Mt Buller Guide of the Year: Georgie McKay
Mt Buller Rookie of the Year: Peter Lane
Mt Buller Most Improved Guide: Robin Mosley
Falls Creek Guide of the Year: Petar Petrov
Falls Creek Rookie of the Year: Zara Lawrence
Falls Creek Most Improved Guide: Danni Williams
Mt Hotham Guide of the Year: Steve Roadnight
Mt Hotham Rookie of the Year: Sabine Glissmann-Gough and Robin Naismith
Mt Hotham Most Improved Guide: Alan Taylor