Taronga Conservation Society Australia claimed one of the top honours at the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony last week, winning the award for ‘Excellence in Not for Profit Volunteer Management 2013’.The Volunteer of the Year Awards had over 4,000 nominations this year, with categories including Senior Volunteer, Youth Volunteer, Corporate Volunteer and Team Volunteer of the Year, as well as Excellence in Volunteer Management.Volunteers were recognised from across the state and from a huge variety of organisations. We couldn’t help but be struck by the huge impact of the more than 2 million incredible and dedicated volunteers in NSW.Taronga was very proud to have two nominees at the awards, with Betty Daly from Taronga Western Plains Zoo also earning a nomination for Senior Volunteer of the Year.Respected and knowledgeable, Betty is an experienced tour guide, leading early morning walks and coach tours. During her five years at the zoo, Betty has always put her hand up to help out anywhere she can, guiding, working in the animal nursery and being a part of the volunteer education committee training other volunteers.We are incredibly proud of her achievements and those of all our volunteers.Taronga has an inclusive and professional approach to managing over 600 volunteers who choose to give their time to wildlife conservation. We hope that our processes allow volunteers to be involved in a way that is meaningful to them.- Alex Connor, Volunteers Officer