Last night, Bankstown Sports Club hosted their Dinner with People Making a Difference event - a heartfelt evening dedicated to honouring the incredible organisations and volunteers who go above and beyond in supporting the local community. This special event brought together 108 attendees from 38 different community groups, all of whom give their time, energy, and compassion to causes that make a real difference in people’s lives.

The evening was attended by Member for East Hills Kylie Wilkinson, Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown Council Clr Bilal El-Hayek, and Clr Rosemarie Boneham from The Hills Shire Council and was an opportunity to express the Club’s deep appreciation for those who work tirelessly on the frontlines of community support, from food services and mental health support to crisis intervention and grassroots fundraising.

When guests arrived, they were treated to a delicious meal and the chance to connect with others doing similar work across the Bankstown, Cumberland and Hills Shire LGA’s. Throughout the night, attendees heard brief but meaningful speeches from Bankstown Sports Sport and Community Manager Michael Hanratty, Clint Bertenshaw, MBA from the NSW Centre for Volunteering, and Mayor Clr Bilal El-Hayek — each echoing the same heartfelt sentiment: that the efforts of volunteers are truly invaluable to our communities.

“What was most satisfying, was seeing people from various organisations and volunteering roles learning from one another and making connections on how their organisations could potentially collaborate on projects in the future. The theme for this year’s National Volunteering Week is ‘Connecting Communities’ and I think the event truly captured the essence of this concept.” says Bankstown Sports Sports and Community Manager, Michael Hanratty.

Michelle Watson Deloso, Bankstown Sports Community and Partnership Advisor, captured the spirit of the evening, “on behalf of the club, but also the local community - I want to thank all organisations and volunteers that day in and out do what they can to make the world a safer and better place. Whether you’re turning sausages at a fundraiser, supporting a victim survivor or being a confidant to someone who needs an ear — thank you for what you do.”