Toni Lynch - Manly Volunteer of 2008

Toni is 72 years of age and has made an outstanding contribution during her 31 years’ volunteering at the Dalwood Family Care Centre in Seaforth.

Dalwood provides support to new parents and mothers suffering post-natal depression, pre-school education for at-risk children and residential care for children with learning difficulties or behavioural problems. It serves not only the local community but also families across NSW.

Toni is President of the Dalwood Auxiliary and over the years has raised funds to help pay for a clinical psychologist and speech therapist, renovate the old preschool, equip the new building with furniture and subsidise the costs of children travelling from the country.

Toni began volunteering at Dalwood when a friend suggested she would enjoy it. More than 30 years later, Toni is leading the efforts of the 60-strong volunteer team.

It is Toni’s warm nature and generous spirit that is so outstanding. Not only has she donated several decades of her time volunteering, she has always done so with a positive, caring attitude.

Toni believes she is ‘lucky’ to be volunteering at Dalwood and feels she gains more than she gives.

Toni said it is a privilege to see first hand the ‘miracles’ the therapists, teachers and staff perform on the children who attend Dalwood.

Toni’s daughter, Terri, said her mum is devoted to her family. Toni helped care for her grandchildren when Terri was looking after her husband after he became paralysed and before he died. Terri said she couldn’t have survived without her.