ALBANY woman Jean Bampfield has received the Bert Harris Award for outstanding service to victims of crime.
Ms Bampfield is one of the longest serving volunteers with the Department of Justice’s Victim Support Service.
She has been supporting victims of crime from all walks of life, even before the VSS was established in 1994.
Justice Minister Michelle Roberts said VSS volunteers had a special strength and generosity of spirit that was vital to the wellbeing of local communities.
"They are a real comfort to those who find themselves feeling alone in times of despair," she said.
"The VSS has received many expressions of gratitude and appreciation from victims over the years for Jean’s calm and patient companionship in assisting them at court."
Ms Bampfield is the fifth recipient of the Bert Harris Award, inaugurated in 2000 in honour of former VSS volunteer Bert Harris who died in 1999.
Rural Ambassador Award applications closing
The deadline for applications to compete in the 2004 Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia’s Rural Ambassador Award is looming at the end of June.
The award is open to people aged between 20 and 30.
The winner receives an annual RASWA membership and $1,000; represents WA at the national competition in 2005; and an agricultural study tour travel bursary to New Zealand.
People interested in entering the 2004 awards should contact their local agricultural society or phone Wendy Cook on 9384 1933.