Ms Frost, who has volunteered with the organisation for the past 14 years, was recognised at an awards ceremony on Tuesday.

Ms Frost's heart and connection to people with a disability began when her youngest sister Brigid was a Mai-Wel participant.

Seeing the joy that Mai-Wel bought to her sister Brigid led Ms Frost to start volunteering. It has been nine years since Brigid died suddenly, aged 48, and Ms Frost has continued her considerable efforts to bring joy to many people across the organisation in memory of her sister.

Ms Frost started out with Mai-Wel's lifestyle and leisure division, assisting people with a disability living at home with aged carers to get out and about and participate in activities.

In 2014, Mai-Wel recognised the contribution of Ms Frost, who was volunteering up to 38 hours per week by offering her part time paid employment (15 hours per week) as Mai-Wel's Volunteer Coordinator.

Since then she has continued to go above and beyond that 15 hours per week and work full time hours in a volunteer capacity.

Since Ms Frost has been in this role, Mai-Wel's volunteer numbers have almost doubled (from 47 volunteers in 2014 to 86 volunteers in 2018) with many moving on to paid employment within the organisation.

Ms Frost received the inaugural Frank Higgs Volunteer of the Year Award for 2014, named in honour of Mai-Wel's longest serving board member who himself gave 21 years of volunteer service.

In 2015, Ms Frost established an Adult Literacy and Numeracy Program (ALAN) for people with a disability to develop and maintain basic literacy and numeracy skills. Participants who have completed the course have gained confidence with budgeting, money handling, reading, writing and have increased communication and social skills.

Mayor Loretta Baker said she was "very pleased" to present The City of Maitland Service Award to Ms Frost.

"Corinne has been volunteering with The Mai-Wel Group for nearly 15 years and has helped achieve some great things for the organisation and the community," she said.

"Of particular note is the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Program that she has implemented which is taught on a weekly basis. She has had a positive impact on so many lives and is a deserving recipient."

Ms Frost was nominated for the award alongside Alexandra Haggarty (Carrie's Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services Inc.), Bailey Maier (Rutherford Telarah Rotary - Maitland), Gail Johnston (Grossmann & Brough House - National Trust of Australia NSW), Stephen Schumacher (Maitland Region Suicide Prevention Network) and Vicki Osborn (Maitland & Beyond Family History Inc) were also nominated for the City of Maitland Service Award.

There was no City of Maitland Medal (awarded to a group or organisation) presented, but local rugby league club Aberglasslyn RLFC was recognised for its nomination.