Rhys Wallace, who uses they/them pronouns, has been the volunteer to go to for “advice, support, and general tomfoolery” during their eight years volunteering with Spraoi Street Arts Festival and Winterval in Waterford.

After starting as a festival steward, Rhys has worked across the festival in multiple roles including stage manager, site coordinator, artist liaison, and now as Chief Steward they lead a team of up to 150 volunteers.

“It is no surprise then that Rhys is known for their open and welcoming personality, knowing exactly what it takes to be a leader putting on a festival,” said a spokesperson.

“Spraoi is an exciting street arts festival every August bank holiday in Waterford that features contemporary local, national, and international artists. It’s a free event, maybe better described as a party, featuring 200 performances of street theatre, music, circus and spectacle arts for all ages.

“Rhys has the challenge and privilege of managing the needs of visiting artists as well as the volunteers under their supervision. This includes time outside of the festival itself, planning the event and accommodating the needs of visitors.

“They have always shown up and gone above and beyond the call of duty, always ready to jump in where needed, never afraid of any task or to help assist other volunteers who may be coming in for the first time,” a grateful fellow volunteer noted.

While no longer with us, Rhys would like to acknowledge their life partner Erika Tamen, who played a massive role in the cultural sphere of Waterford for the past decade. Their volunteer contributions were often done in tandem with Rhys and their memory will always exist in Waterford’s cultural fabric.

The other nominees in this category were Michael Butler, Louth Volunteer Centre, Louth, and Freda Carville and Colleen Hardy, Artisans Dundalk, Louth.

The Volunteer Ireland Awards are the national awards for volunteering in Ireland and shine a light on the ordinary people doing extraordinary things in our communities every day. Twelve category winners and the overall Volunteer of the Year were named at an awards ceremony in Limerick Racecourse on Saturday, December 2.