Paul Cortissos named as 2022 anzuk Early Childhood Volunteer of the Year

Paul Cortissos, President of Thornbury Kindergarten, has been named as the winner of the 2022 anzuk Early Childhood Volunteer of the Year at the Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) Annual General meeting.

Described by his fellow kinder committee members as an “incredible role model”, his days are consumed with supporting the teacher and carer team at the kindergarten with everything that a paid manager would do to rallying support from local businesses and volunteers to providing a vital link between the kindergarten and the families of the children who attend. 

“To be a leading advocate that will serve and help shape our vibrant, diverse and inclusive kinder is why the role (President) is a privilege,” Mr Cortissos said during his acceptance speech.

The Early Childhood Volunteer of the Year award celebrates the significant contribution volunteers make to the early childhood education and care sector.

Mr Cortissos was named Volunteer of the Year along with four other runners up including:

• Emma Butler from Wahroonga Preschool, in Greensborough, Victoria
• Lois Maiden from Totom House located in Kaleen, ACT
• Anne Sidebottom from North Brighton Kindergarten, Victoria.

ELAA congratulated Mr Cortissos and all the volunteer finalists for all the time, passion and expertise that they invest in the futures of Victoria’s youngest learners.

“It’s hard to imagine what our community early learning sector would be like without our hard working volunteers,” said ELAA Director of Advocacy and Member Solutions Megan O’Connell.