Geoffrey Moss honoured with 2022 Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award

A passion for volleyball and helping others has seen 2022 Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award recipient Geoffrey “Geoff” Moss dedicate 45 years of service to Maroondah Volleyball.

Geoff has spent nearly 10,000 hours refereeing more than 9000 local league matches of volleyball, along with mentoring, court managing, providing secretarial assistance, advocating for Maroondah Volleyball’s all-abilities program, VolleyAll, and supporting local school and charity match events. He is renowned for his knowledge of the sport and for mentoring younger referees and committee members.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Rob Steane, said the award was well-deserved.

“Geoff’s contribution to both Maroondah Volleyball and the Maroondah community is just extraordinary. His passion for volleyball and mentoring others has seen him dedicate over four decades of service to the sport and the community -- a remarkable feat which has inspired others to take up the sport and to volunteer themselves,” Cr Steane said.

“I extend my congratulations to Geoff and thank him for his outstanding service to our community.”

Council’s Bill Wilkins Award, named in honour of community stalwart and Freeman of the City, Bill Wilkins, is presented annually to a volunteer who inspires and embodies the spirit of volunteering through their exemplary contribution to the community.

The 2022 award was presented to Geoff at Council’s Volunteer Recognition Function on 7 December at Karralyka.

In addition to receiving the Bill Wilkins Award, Geoff was acknowledged by Volleyball Victoria as Volunteer of the Year in 2019. He became a Life Member of Maroondah Volleyball in 1985 and received the prestigious President’s Award in 2017 – an honour only awarded to two members to date.

Geoff began with Maroondah Volleyball as a player when the association started in 1978. Over the next 30 years, he served as the Vice President and President of the committee while refereeing and working as a teacher until his retirement in 2019. He still volunteers as a referee, provides support and knowledge, and is known for “putting [his] hand up” whenever help is needed.

Geoff felt “very surprised” to receive the Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award. He credited his service to the “lovely people” at Maroondah Volleyball and the sense of purpose and connection his work has provided. He also said having his wife’s support has been “very important” throughout his volunteering.

“It’s very rewarding to go and help people in the community. I’ve enjoyed it,” he said.

“The rewards are intangible - it’s having people smile at you and thank you for your work. It makes you feel worthwhile and appreciated for what you do. Volunteers are very often welcomed by lots of groups.

“I’d like to see more young people get involved (in volunteering), if they can. It gives you a purpose and an appreciation of other people, that’s very important too. It gives you a lot.”

Learn more about the Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award and past recipients of the award.