Albany volunteer Don Titterton wins EdConnect 2023 Rising Star Award for ‘outstanding enthusiasm’

Albany local Don Titterton, who started volunteering at Flinders Park Primary School last year, has been announced as the 2023 Ed Connect Rising Star Award winner.

The annual EdConnect Australia Volunteer Awards ceremony celebrates the extraordinary effort of volunteers in primary and secondary schools across WA.

This year it was held at the Mt Lawley Bowling Club on Wednesday, March 20.

EdConnect area manager Karen Barden said the new Rising Star Award “acknowledges a new volunteer who brings outstanding enthusiasm to the role”.

Mr Titterton was nominated for the role by Flinders Park Primary School principal Julie Simpfendorfer and school co-ordinator Sarah McNamara.

Mr Titterton told the Advertiser he wasn’t expecting to win any awards at the ceremony.

“I didn’t think I would deserve an award; some of the other volunteers have been there 10 or 15 years,” he said.

He said one of the reasons he volunteered was because his own schooling experience wasn’t good and he wanted to make sure other children did not experience that.

“I didn’t have an enjoyable school, I was dyslexic,” he said.

He enjoys working with kids at all different levels.

“You’re not only helping the kids who are struggling, you’re also connecting with the clever kids,” he said.

EdConnect will be running a school volunteering Information session at the Albany Public Library for people interested in volunteering on Wednesday, April 17, at 11.30am.