2010 White Ribbon Ambassador of the Year Announced

Congratulations to White Ribbon Ambassador Nick Mazzarella, who was presented with the annual and prestigious ‘Ambassador of the Year’ Award at the White Tie Dinner!

White Ribbon Chairman Andrew O'Keefe, 2010 Ambassador of the Year Nick Mazzarella, 2009 Ambassador of the Year Charlie King

Mazzarella, Major Works Manager at Darebin City Council and White Ribbon Ambassador since 2007 was awarded the Ambassador of the Year title for his significant contribution to White Ribbon’s goal of eliminating violence against women by changing community attitudes and behaviours.

Mazzarella is a driving force in his local Council and community, founding the Darebin White Ribbon Action Team which was officially endorsed by Council in 2009. The success of the Darebin White Ribbon Action Team enabled a budget proposal for Council to fund a dedicated ‘Preventing Violence Against Women Officer.’ This part-time position was able to work with the Action Team to drive the White Ribbon campaign and community awareness-raising events throughout the year, and in particular, through the ‘16 Days of Action.’

Further to this, Mazzarella actively drives the recruitment of White Ribbon Ambassadors within the Darebin Council and the broader community and is a visible, engaging and enthusiastic speaker at numerous White Ribbon events throughout the year. In addition, his role on White Ribbon’s National Leadership Group (NLG) has seen him provide invaluable support and input to the Foundation’s strategic direction.

What can Ambassadors do?

Ambassadors support the campaign by...

• Wearing a White Ribbon or wristband in the lead-up to White Ribbon Day and encouraging others to do the same;
• Sharing the White Ribbon message with their local communities, particularly in rural and regional areas where White Ribbon may not otherwise have a presence;
• Nominating other suitable men as Ambassadors;
• Talking about their role as an Ambassador with colleagues and friends, highlighting the importance of respect for women and attitude change;
• Attending events in their local community, either as a speaker or a guest with the support of White Ribbon’s Ambassador Program Manager;
• Hosting awareness raising events and fundraising activities with their personal networks throughout the year, particularly around White Ribbon Day;
• Encouraging community groups, local councils, workplaces, men’s organisations, sports and services clubs to buy and distribute White Ribbons;
• Organising presentations in their workplaces, sporting and recreational groups with the support of White Ribbon’s Ambassador Program Manager;
• Utilising personal contacts to extend the White Ribbon campaign message.
• Speaking on Behalf of the White Ribbon Campaign at Community Events Some White Ribbon Ambassadors are available to speak at community events, particularly on or around White Ribbon Day. 

Please note that all White Ribbon Ambassadors lend their time in a volunteer capacity. Whilst we endeavor to match an Ambassador to all speaking or event requests, this is subject to their availability.

If you would like a speaker for your event, please fill-in the online event registration form, available here, and send to Paul McGlew, Ambassador Program Manager at paul.mcglew@whiteribbon.org.au.