The Newcastle Herald has been honoured to share stories throughout this year of those giving back in heartfelt, courageous and surprising ways.
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January
January 14: Bernie Viemeier
A former RAAF airman and postman Bernier Viemeier daylights as Captain America, leading a superhero squad that visits children in hospital.
January 21: Joshua Dick
Builder and volunteer surf lifesaver volunteer who patrols Newcastle's coastline of jet ski and is a Hunter region duty officer.
January 28: Rachel Henshaw
Another Sunrise's Rachel Henshaw runs Shan Ling Great Wall Marathon to raise money for suicide prevention.
February
February 4: Mike Pierpont
Former chief engineer and master skipper for Port Stephen's Marine Rescue volunteers his services to boaters for 16 years.
February 11: Kerrie Turner
A Lochinvar local raises almost $10,000 for breast cancer research on behalf of her friend of 15 years.
February 18: John and Ellen Kilpatrick
This husband and wife team have been volunteering for multiple Hunter organisations, some for more than 40 years.
February 25: Bec Tansey
This Black Hill resident founded and moderates an online community of 13,000 women called Newcastle Hunter Mums.
March
March 4: Kerriann Dunn
Lake Macquarie's Citizen of the Year involved in Morisset High School's P&C, Southlake Marketplace, Community Hair Project and the area's Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.
March 11: Berryl Tobin
The 90-year-old local golfing champion and community leader who is still encouraging residents young and old to get out on the green.
March 18: Tom McLoughlin and Dough Buchanan
The "Average Joes" starting conversations about men's mental health and well-being.
March 25: Robert and Emil Dan
Newcastle lung disease patient and his pharmacist cousin fight to combat respiratory disease.
April
April 1: Catherine Conaghan
Case worker for Karumah Positive Living Centre supports Hunter residents with HIV.
April 8: Ben Swift
Recipient of a Commendation for Brave Conduct after he saved three children at a petrol station fire in New Lambton.
April 15: Stephen Dewer
Member of Toronto Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group has pushed the campaign to reduce reliance on single-use items in the area.
April 22: Rachel Kerrigan
Afghanistan war veteran guides returned service people to health.
April 29: Suzanne Clark Pitrolo
Cancer survivor enables other cancer patients to get active with not-for-profit gym.
May
May 6: Sally Crockett
Son inspires mother's for a search for a cure to Prader-Willi Syndrome.
May 13: Stuart Carter
This 71-year-old leads a community discussion group about mourning, death and dying.
May 20: Carolyn Comyns
A Shortland resident running a community group for people suffering from autoimmune diseases.
May 27: Hannah Glassey
Seven-year-old scout collects disused toys so other children can play too.
June
June 3: Burt Kennedy
34-year-old runs 544 kilometres to raise money for Fight MND on behalf of friends Matt and Jodie Bell.
June 10: De-anne Douglas
The Muswellbrook PCYC manager is on a personal mission to fund a cuddle cot for the region.
June 17: Vilma Hunter
This 88-year-old has been volunteering in the region's hospitals since 1958, and that's not all.
June 24: Vicki and Brock Mendyk
Mother and son speak out about mental health after losing two loved-ones to suicide.
July
July 1: Jeanette Lacey
Jeanette Lacey helped found Newcastle's Compassionate Communities group, caring for people in their darkest time.
July 8: Wendy Robinson
Mother writes book to guide other parents through children's cancer journeys.
July 15: Vicki McKinnon
Grandmother creates trauma teddies to help children through their scariest experiences.
July 22: Maud Styles
98-year-old knits dog jackets and blankets for Dog Rescue Newcastle.
July 29: Kathy Prior
Former midwife and teacher recognised for her work as a Lifeline telephone crisis support volunteer.
August
August 5: Brett Lovett
Rutherford paramedic has been coming to the rescue for almost four decades.
August 12: Nicole Gerrard and Emma Blundell
Aunt and niece team behind project to help children in oncology wards.
August 19: Charlestown Meals on Wheels team
The service has been providing freshly made meals to the community for half a decade.
August 26: Abdelfattah Ben Romdhane
Tunisian migrant stepped in at the last minute to coach his son's soccer team.
September
September 2: David Douglas
This 27-year-old is the commander of Port Stephen's SES unit and is always on-call to help in a rescue.
September 9: Elaine Roberts
A Wallsend resident has acted as grandmother to an entire school for almost two decades.
September 16: Michelle Faithfull
Bar Beach resident and trek leader raises $175,000 for charity over 10 years.
September 23: Tony Milburn
Hunter volunteer of the year saves imperfect farm produce to be turned into meals for people in need.
September 30: Roz Holme
Wildlife volunteer treats wombats suffering from mange.
October
October 7: Gordon Grainger
The Port Stephens retiree on a mission to save his local waterways.
Mates walk overnight to Central Coast Stadium to raise money for their friend's medical bills and rehabilitation treatment.
October 21: Melanie-Bree Watts and Prue Hurt
Neonatal intensive care nurses raise $130k for bubs at risk.
October 28: Renee Schofield
Keen runner uses the spirit of Christmas to support children at Ronald McDonald House.
November
November 4: Megan Baird
Charlestown's Megan Baird is fulfilling her parents' wish to raise funds for the hospital unit that gave her father an extra 18 months of life.
November 11: Gabriella Howells
16-year-old swimmer wins 10 medals at global games for athletes with intellectual disability after learning to swim only three years ago.
November 18: Oliva Hughes
A Year 7 student has probably done more volunteering than most do in their lives, after putting her hand up to help when her friend passed away.
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