70 outstanding southeast Qld volunteers honoured | List
They’re the backbone of the nation — the unsung, unpaid local heroes who make our communities better places. As part of National Volunteering Week we highlight 70 of southeast Queensland’s volunteers.
Logan
Don't miss out on the headlines from Logan. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Australia’s biggest annual celebration of the community’s unsung, unpaid local heroes, National Volunteering Week, is back again from today (Monday May 16) until Sunday.
It culminates on Friday, May 20 when the 2022 Queensland Volunteering Awards will be presented at Brisbane City Hall.
Volunteering Queensland CEO Mara Basanovic said the “power and spirit of volunteering’’ was evidenced every day.
“Queenslanders are generous, compassionate, and supportive of one another and their local and wider communities,” she said.
With so many wonderful volunteers, it is impossible to name them all.
Here’s a list of just 70 in southeast Queensland.
MORETON
Irma Howell
Scouts
Redcliffe area
Irma has been volunteering with Scouts Queensland since the 1970s.
An adult member of the Queensland Branch Heritage Team from 2020, she has been assistant district commissioner of the youth program at the Redcliffe District and district commissioner for the Redcliffe District.
Irma also served as a council member of the state branch from 2003 to 2016, district commissioner for the Murrumba District from 1994 to 2003 and assistant area commissioner for the Brisbane North Region, among other roles.
Alison Taylor
Various local groups
Dayboro
Alison won the 2020 Moreton Bay Regional Council Australia Day Citizen of the Year for her decades of volunteer work in the area.
She has been a big player in bringing Dayboro to life, being behind events like the Love Dayboro Arts Festival and volunteering for the Dayboro Show Society, the Dayboro Country Women’s Association and the Dayboro Community Hall for 30 years.
Len McCandless
Rosies, others
Lawnton
Len won the 2022 Moreton Bay Regional Council Australia Day Mayor’s Community Spirit award for his volunteer work.
Having been homeless when he was young, he got through the tough times through the help of support services like Rosies – Friends on the Street.
He is now paying that forward as a Branch Coordinator for Rosies, working as a guiding light for those who are walking the same path, and helping the wider community understand what they can do to help.
Malcolm “Mick” Klein
Club sports
Morayfield
Well known locally for his volunteer work in Moreton Bay club sports, he won this year’s Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor’s Community Spirit Award.
He set up Caboolture Sports Club in 1994, funding its construction by working with venture capitalists and six local sporting groups across softball, touch football, cricket, dog obedience, soccer and rugby union.
Under his leadership, they united to form an umbrella group to help support their different codes, and a place for them to meet and socialise, bringing the community together.
He also served as the club’s first President.
Len also established, and volunteered for, the cricket club on Torrens Road.
Ann Brooks
U3A
Bribie Island
Known locally for her dedication and enthusiasm during her 12 years’ service as president of the Bribie Island University of the Third Age (U3A), her stint saw membership triple from the 460 when she started out in 2004 until she stepped down in 2016.
She has also served as vice president and is now the patron.
She secured the lease of the Bribie Island Community Facility and worked with Council to expand the facilities in 2015.
Ann was instrumental in setting up a U3A at Caboolture, which now boasts 500 members, and a third at Beachmere, with 150 members.
Graham Gibb
VMR Bribie
Bribie Island
Graham is known for his decade-long service as a Senior Radio Officer with Volunteer Marine Rescue Bribie Island.
He established and continues to lead the annual Emergency Services Expo at VMR Bribie Island, coordinating the event to bring local emergency services together, as well as working with schools and community groups.
He’s also an instrumental part of the Young Emergency Services Ambassador program, inspiring future generations to join the emergency services and Defence forces.
Graham has been a Volunteer in Policing with Bribie Island Police for the past decade.
Wellsley Thomas Darby
Various
Redcliffe
Well known for a lifetime of volunteering in Redcliffe, he currently serves as the treasurer for the Independent Living Units Residents’ Committee at the Azure Blue Retirement Village.
From 2008 to 2021 he was a volunteer ambassador at Brisbane Airport.
He’s been a commissioner of declarations at the Redcliffe Hospital since 2017 and a commissioner of declarations at the Redcliffe Library since 2020.
He has also served as a local justice of the peace and treasurer of both the Chermside Kedron Community Church and the Middle Ridge Uniting Church in Toowoomba.
Gayle Anderson
Community Transport Services
Pine Rivers
Gayle has been a much-loved volunteer for the Pine Rivers Community Transport Services for the past two years.
The service helps transport elderly clients to their appointments, such as doctor and hospital visits.
Gayle is always the first to put her hand up to do extra volunteering and goes above and beyond for the community.
She is constantly dedicating her time and efforts and volunteers for many other organisations, as well as sewing and crocheting.
Karin Machell
Koala Care Association
Pine Rivers
Her love for wildlife has made Karin Machell an exceptional volunteer for the Pine Rivers Koala Care association.
Known for being very caring and helpful, Karin has dedicated her time to seeing a better future for Australia's very own Koala.
She never hesitates to take on the extra hours, emergency shifts and when called, is known to drop everything and run.
Karin is currently implementing movement to get a wildlife hospital for the northside.
Bill Peacock
Rotary, Polio Australia
Bellara
Bill contracted polio at a very young age but went on to earn an Order of Australia medal for his relentlessly campaigning to raise awareness of polio survivors and their needs.
He has performed fundraising efforts, advocacy work and has provided support to people living with a disability.
A hairdresser, he was president of the Hair and Beauty Industry Association and an Australian hairdressing champion — all while in calipers.
He is also a Rotarian and has done advocacy work and disability consulting.
Evelyn Robinson
Young Care Wesley Mission, others
Redcliffe area
Evelyn is passionate about supporting those who are vulnerable and at risk, donating her time to many charities and causes.
Her volunteering work sees her helping with fundraising, wrapping gifts, sorting donations and setting up furniture for those in need.
She has volunteered for Young Care, Hand in Hand Community Projects and the Wesley Mission Red Bag Appeal, served as a team leader for Rize Up and provided meals to the homeless with the Redcliffe Breakfast Club.
LOGAN
Jonesy Cairncross
Logan City State Emergency Service and Surf Life Saving
Yatala/Beenleigh
Joining the SES at 16, Jonesy Cairncross was the youngest member of the Logan SES team. Since then he has volunteered an incredible 380 hours of service.
He has climbed on roofs, helped repair storm damage on homes, replaced broken tiles, refixed metal roofing sheets and helped remove fallen trees which had trapped residents.
He’s also a surf lifesaver at the Coolangatta Surf Club.
Di Flack
President Logan Artist Association
Logan
She became a committee member in 2005 and stepped up into the role of president in 2013. Di has been instrumental in the project management of major works and improvements at Logan Artists over the past seven years including building a pottery studio, kitchen renovation, gardens and ground improvements and extension of a deck.
Di has always had a strong focus on the continued development and improvement of both premises and opportunity for artists.
Hannah Kaihau
Student
Mabel Park
The Mabel Park State High School and student showed amazing community spirit after the recent floods.
She was seen helping at the White House of Waterford which was inundated after her church called for volunteers.
A talented STEM student, in year 10 she developed a 3D print of a scoliometer (which measures curvature of the spine) to fit iPhone and smartphones.
Emily Styles
Waterford Community Group
Waterford West
One of the administrators of the Waterford Community Group Facebook page, she spends a great deal of time ensuring it remains a friendly, positive and community-minded page.
Emily is always quick to respond to locals asking for assistance or guidance and is always happy to connect them to the right information or people.
During the floods, Emily and the community group were a source of up-to-date information.
Nasrin Vaziri
Multicultural Arts Group
Logan
An Iranian immigrant, she has been involved in a range of groups, particularly groups that serve the Persian language community.
A longstanding board member for Woman Empowerment and Leadership, she is particularly passionate about empowering women about mental health awareness.
Nasrin uses art therapy to improve mental health and celebrate cultural diversity.
She is also a Multicultural Health Ambassador at Mental Health Foundation Australia.
Qin Zhang
Flood volunteer
Logan
Qin Zhang has been a regular Waterford volunteer for many years.
During the floods she helped run a community barbecue despite her house being affected by the flood.
She said she had a great day organising the barbecue and was very happy because that day had helped her to feel like she was part of the community.
Ines Ilijasevic
Support Worker, Centre for Women Co.
Beenleigh
A support worker at the Centre for Women Co, she’s passionate about supporting women who experience domestic violence in the Logan area.
Ines is motivated to making change and her warmth helps clients to feel safe and supported during some of the hardest times in their lives.
Recently, she gave evidence at a coronial inquest, an incredibly difficult experience.
But her evidence was an important source of information to help improve the system.
Jane Taylor
Flood help for her neighbours
Waterford, Logan
Jane volunteered during the recent floods, helping her entire street.
She exemplified the incredible Logan spirits, going above and beyond for her neighbours Shirley and Jeff by helping clean up their property and organising an anniversary birthday dinner after their house was inundated.
Wendy Child
Loganholme State School
Loganholme
A caring, giving and loving member of the community, she has donated her time and money to those less fortunate.
Over the years, she has worked on numerous charity events, her latest raising more than $13,000 for the Charlie Teo Foundation.
She is a dedicated member of the community who always puts her hand up to help wherever she can.
Wendy also recently became a community golf teacher to provide support to the community.
Jenny Cheng
KENG
Kingston
Jenny Cheng volunteers in the Kingston East Neighbourhood Group’s Emergency Relief department.
The emergency relief team provides about 80 food parcels to families in need every week. Jenny also assists with interviewing clients, assessing their needs and referring to other organisations if required.
She is an invaluable asset to the KENG team and to the Logan community.
Debbie Milne
Registrar, Canterbury College
Bethania
Canterbury College principal said Debbie Milne played a vital role in the school community. She has been the registrar at Canterbury College, Waterford West, for 20 years.
She has been responsible for enrolling hundreds of families from the Waterford and greater Logan area during that time.
She ensures all families at the college are supported during their child’s educational journey.
Emma Cobb
Lead Coach, Empire Bodyworks
Beenleigh
Emma Cobb is the lead coach at Empire Bodyworks in Beenleigh.
Her friends and staff say she is a boss and coach who is the perfect mix of caring, empowering and demanding when needed.
Emma is dedicated to a life of service and wants the very best for those around her, a long-term goal of hers is to create a drop-in centre for Logan youth.
She has puts in so much time helping those who need a lift.
Emma Pyers
Program Manager at YFS
Logan
Emma Pyers leads the YFS Housing First team, achieving amazing housing outcomes for some of Logan’s most vulnerable people.
Last year, her team worked with 231 Logan people and almost half of them were under 25. Emma has supported people experiencing homelessness in Logan for the past 10 years, building up extensive local knowledge and skills.
She started with YFS as a housing worker, becoming the program manager in 2017.
Shannon O’Connell
Professional boxer
Logan
Shannon O’Connell is often referred to as “Shotgun Shannon’’, a nod to her fame as a Logan boxing superstar.
She created a home for Shotgun Boxing Gym.
It has become a haven for those looking to change their lives, not just for fitness but for better mental health and a positive future focus.
Shotgun Boxing has striven towards teaching youth about respect and discipline.
Leila Loei
Ms Australia World Ambassador
Logan
Leila Loei is an entrepreneur and a mentor for women, young girls and men. She regularly volunteers her time with a number of not-for-profit organisations and is the secretary of Women Empowerment and Leadership Association raising awareness about domestic violence prevention. Since April 2021, Leila has actively involved with refugees from the Afghan community, in particular women, helping them to adapt to living in Australia. Leila is very committed to championing the rights of women in the Afghan community. She is a survivor of domestic violence and would like to use her story to empower others who can thrive after leaving an abusive relationship.
Emily Ellis
Intake and Triaging Manager, Access Community Services
Beenleigh
The intake and triaging manager at Access Community Services, in its emergency relief team, Emily has been integral helping both the Logan and Ipswich community navigate the emergency relief process.
She has helped locals with vouchers for food and fuel as well as vital furniture and appliances that they may have lost during the floods.
She also co-ordinated a major donation of fuel vouchers to Mud Army volunteers who had to drive longer distances to get to part of Logan and Ipswich due to road closures.
Petronilla Lau (Pet)
KENG
Kingston
Pet Lau has been a part of the KENG family, helping out in Emergency Relief every week. She is amazing with all the clients entering KENG and has an amazing ability to make people feel welcome and at ease.
She packs food parcels, interviews clients and ensures the food pantry is clean and tidy.
Jenna Liddelow
Women’s Service Manager, CFW Co.
Logan
Jenna Liddelow is dedicated to improving the lives of women in Logan and has spent her entire career at The Centre for Women & Co. working with women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence.
She has worked as a Crisis Response Worker, co-ordinated the High-Risk Team and is now the Service Manager.
She brings contagious positive energy to her work and encourages a culture of trust, integrity, honesty and fun while providing a client-centred service and response.
Robyn Rae and Clare Fraser
Economic Development Team, Logan City Council
Logan
Robyn Rae and Clare Fraser both work in the Economic Development team at Logan City Council.
Both give freely of their time volunteering for community benefit including cleaning up in flood-affected areas — Robyn was at Chinderah and Murwillumbah, while Clare was in Lismore.
Both were also instrumental last week in contacting flood-affected businesses and offering assistance and support.
BRISBANE EASTSIDE
Alison Lane
SES
Bulimba
Alison joined the SES in early 2018 and contributes 800 volunteer hours annually.
She is one of the youngest female members in a formal leadership role and frequently advocates for an equal culture for all within the organisation.
She trains new members, plans and attends large format disaster relief exercises and manages the groups’ administration and communications.
She was awarded the National Emergency Medal for her contribution to the Far North floods in 2019.
Catherine Hafke
Foodbank
Cannon Hill, Morningside
For the past two years, Catherine Hafke has worked as the People and Culture co-ordinator at Foodbank Queensland.
She ensures all volunteers feel valued and included.
She also manages all the HR administration and co-ordination for the program from recruiting, to onboarding, induction, and training, holds regular information sessions with Foodbank and gathers feedback from her volunteers.
Annie Tamblyn
Foodbank
Morningside
She joined Foodbank in December last year and is a donation sorter who worked on flood relief efforts.
She works hard to sort mixed food donations from farmers and retailers that arrive at Foodbank and helps member charities easily access sorted food relief products and prepacked orders for their food relief programs.
Mark Keeton
Disaster Relief Australia, Orange Sky, others
Sandgate
Mark is busy with a range of charities.
He works two to three shifts a week at Orange Sky Australia, which provides laundry and shower services to those living rough.
He was also deployed to Inglewood for a week earlier this year to provide laundry services to the community post-flood.
Mark’s other commitments include the 4 Voices group which provides digital connection to the homeless, particularly female DV victims, and veteran’s mental health group Mates4Mates.
Brian Daley
Bulimba RSL Sub Branch President
Bulimba
Brian Daley has been volunteering in the local community for more than 40 year including with St Vincent de Paul Society, Bulimba Meals on Wheels and the Mater Hospital.
The Bulimba RSL Sub Branch president advocates on behalf of members to ensure ex-servicemen and woman receive the help they need.
Every year he helps organise local Anzac Day services.
BRISBANE WESTSIDE
Lisa Dingwall
St John Ambulance
Toowong
Lisa Dingwall has been part of St John Ambulance Queensland volunteer management program for 13 years.
She was unit manager regional management and then supported statewide volunteer activities. She is known for her dedication and community focus.
Many of the volunteers she manages are students seeking to gain practical experience.
She volunteers more than 15 hours a week, co-ordinating training rosters, logistics, event organisation and welfare of the volunteer team.
George Hulse
Vietnam veteran, RSL
Toowong
“Tunnel rat’’ Lt Colonel Hulse, OAM, has served as president of the Toowong RSL.
He has been active in keeping alive the memory of the Battle of Nui Le, organising a dedication ceremony with help from local Councillor James Mackay on the 50th anniversary to honour those who perished, including six soldiers from St Lucia.
He has also been a vice president of the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association.
Claire Putt
Taringa Community Garden
Taringa
Coordinator of the popular Taringa Community Garden, she worked with Cr Mackay from 2019 to get the garden up and running at Perrin Park.
It recently added a composting hub.
She has been nominated for Young Citizen of the Year.
Ameya Jaurigue
Various
Indooroopilly
The Year 11 Brigidine College student is a powerhouse, with her many volunteering roles seeing her named as a finalist in the ABC Radio community spirit awards.
She works with the QFCC youth advisory council, Children’s Rights Queensland and Bravehearts national youth advisory council, volunteers in the Walter Taylor council ward office.
Her focus has been advocating for ethnic and LQBTIQ+ groups.
Graham Evans
Music
Indooroopilly area
The music performer, teacher, conductor and tutor formed Classic Clarinets, a choir of about 30 with an average age of 65, two decades ago to foster a sense of community and get both beginners and experienced voices together.
This is a unique chamber grouping, with only one other clarinet choir existing in Queensland.
Graham has also been involved in numerous other music endeavours in Brisbane including being a member and key organiser of the Sinfonia of St Andrews chamber orchestra.
He has mentored many woodwind players who have gone on to pursue music as a career.
Leigh Chamberlain
Historical groups
Toowong
She has been involved in many community groups including the West Toowong Community Association, the Toowong History Group and the West Toowong Bowls Club.
In 2003 she was one of the authors of Toowong, A Community’s History, published to commemorate the 100 years since Toowong’s proclamation as a town.
That year she worked with a few others to set up the Toowong & District Historical Society.
She has remained on the committee of TDHS since then and has been secretary.
She is the “go to’’ person for anyone seeking information about Toowong’s past.
Keith “Happy’’ Wallis
Football coach
Toowong
Happy has coached for the Wests Juniors Australian football Club at Toowong since 1970 and recently reached the milestone of coaching 1000-plus games for the club.
He was one of the first to be accredited as a Level III coach in 1985 and in 1993 he was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal for services to Australian football coaching.
In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal.
The U18 Division 1 Best & Fairest Medal is also named the Keith Wallis Medal.
Jen Curnow-Trotter, Di Long and Janice James
Rural Aid
Indooroopilly
Retiree Di Long is one of Rural Aid’s most dedicated volunteers, while Janice James’ commitment, skills and hard work have touched the lives of many.
Janice credits Rural Aid for helping her beat depression and start a new life
Jen Curnow-Trotter has also been there for farmers and rural communities in times of need since the group’s inception in 2015.
Ross Anderson
Athletics
Toowong
President of the 127-year-old Toowong Harriers Club for five years, he has also been with the Jack Cook Memorial Park-based club for a decade.
Taringa. The Club was Queensland’s first athletics club and one of Australia’s oldest. Toowong Harriers is affiliated with both Queensland Athletics and Little Athletics Queensland, and offers membership to all ages from three to 93.
Ross has been with the club for over 10 years and President for five years.
Helen Turner, other Abt staff
Homeless Connect, others
Milton
Helen Turner and other employees at Milton’s Abt Associates take workplace volunteering very seriously.
In 2021 this commitment extended to a formal Employee Volunteer Policy, designating two
paid workdays for staff to use for volunteering.
Helen and seven other staff have volunteered for Homeless Connect, the Emmanuel City Mission Christmas Lunch for the Homeless and other causes.
During the floods Abt staff signed up for the Mud Army 2.0.
Alicia Rossiter
Kenmore Districts Rugby Club
Kenmore
Alicia was a stalwart of the area in the February floods when thousands were cut off with no power and little food.
She and others spent countless hours in the rugby club’s kitchen, cooking burgers, chips and hot food.
She contributes hugely to the club throughout the year.
Mark Kerle
Moggill SES
Moggill
Mark was the inner-west’s go-to man in February’s flood, co-ordinating the huge logistic exercise needed to get the sick, pregnant women and others out of the landlocked peninsula from Kholo to Brookfield.
His team policed road blocks, handed out sandbags and tarpaulins and other supplies.
He also helped with helicopter resupply missions.
Mark is busy throughout the year with the SES, which has undergone extensive planning in recent times to deal with bushfires, floods and other natural disasters.
Dan Hill, Tim Kempton
Flood champion
Westside
“Dinghy Dan’’ and “Tinnie Tim’’ became the most beloved people in the westside during the February floods after the pair got out their boats and ferried stranded residents across flooded Moggill Rd, Brookfield.
They were out for more than three days, all day, motoring back and forward, initially using their own fuel but later supplied by grateful locals who also kept them fed and hydrated in the heat.
At times the queue of waiting “customers’’ clutching bags of possessions was 20-deep.
Catherine Fullerton
Brookfield Show Society
Brookfield
A stalwart of the BSS, she has been busy lately with last weekend’s (May 13-15) Brookfield Show, the first since the pandemic.
It was hectic, with rain causing a last-minute cancellation of equestrian events.
The show is one of the last “country’’ shows in the southeast and is a massive event to organise.
Catherine and her BSS team of volunteers also co-ordinate the annual Brookfield Long Lunch and weekly Bite Nite social events.
Neville Marsh
Moggill Historical Society president
Moggill area
Prof Marsh has authored a number of books on the westside area, including histories of Moggill State School, the pioneering Westaway family, and Diggers from the area to have served in both world wars.
He is also a vigorous advocate for Moggill’s remaining historical places, speaking out about the fate of Sugars Cottage, vandalism at Moggill Cemetery and more.
Jane Milburn
Various fashion, media causes
Toowong
A strong advocate for fashion sustainability, she has been a president, vice president and life member of the Rural Press Club, Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and Fashion Revolution Australia committee member.
She has also served as sustainability Adviser to Eco Fashion Week Australia and a UQ International House board member and honorary secretary.
She has won numerous awards and received a Churchill Fellowship.
BRISBANE NORTHSIDE
Judith Beecham
New Farm Neighbourhood Centre
New Farm
Volunteering for nearly 60 years, across four states, Judith began her volunteering journey in school tuckshops and helping in school classrooms.
For the past 16 years, she has been volunteering at the New Farm Neighbourhood Centre.
With her help, not-for-profit Communify has grown into a large place-based neighbourhood centre that serves 20,000 free meals each year, provides laundry and shower facilities, a community coffee program and access to dozens of visiting services.
Judith is also the chief volunteer trainer for the Neighbourhood Centre.
Pam O’Neill
Racing industry
Bracken Ridge
Well known for her work as a jockey, she is also known for volunteering her time to the horse racing industry.
A director of the Australian Jockeys’ Association since 2001 and the secretary of the Queensland Jockeys’ Association since 1997.
Queensland Racing Doomben Cup Day was named in her honour in 2019 and she was inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame in 2010.
James McClelland
Royal Life Saving Society
Wooloowin
James has been volunteering for the Royal Life Saving Society since the 1970s.
A board member since 2019 and chair of the honours committee since 2016, he has served in numerous other roles.
He has been a stalwart of the Ithaca-Caloundra City Life Saving Club at Bulcock Beach including chief instructor from 1979 to 1985, club captain from 1975 to 1979, a volunteer patrol member and a life member.
Alex Pigott and others
Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop
Brisbane suburbs
Alex and other employees across the franchise love to help others, something encouraged through onboarding when a new team member starts.
Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop has worked closely with local organisations to volunteer barbers and support office teams for events such as Homeless Connect and Deadly Choices Step Up for the Jab events.
In 2021, eight to 10 barbers volunteered their time to work at two Homeless Connect events at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
Lauren Carr
Palliative Care Queensland (Ambulance Wish Queensland)
Spring Hill
Lauren Carr is one of many volunteers with Ambulance Wish Queensland, which gives dignity to the dying.
The AWQ program runs on donations and the generosity of sponsors.
‘It takes a village to care for the dying’ and this program is supported by amazing
volunteers,’’ she said.
“Being a volunteer with AWQ is like being a part of a family. Volunteers feel
honoured and privileged to be a part of this program.’’
Moroni Pugh
Wesley Mission
Moroni manages both the Emergency Relief and Community Meal volunteer programs at Wesley Mission Queensland, also known as Brisbane Relief Hub.
He is known for high standards, supporting the team as they help people who are homeless, escaping domestic violence, or rehabilitating after prison.
Moroni also contributes to several local groups, including within the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori communities.
BRISBANE SOUTHSIDE
Gwendoline Grant
Premmie babies
Acacia Ridge
Grandmother Gwendoline Grant has clocked up 15,000 hours cuddling and caring for sick and
premature babies at South Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
For more than 25 years she has helped families with babies in the Special Care Nursery, giving parents much-needed breaks and lending them an ear when they need to chat.
“I just love what I do,” Mrs Grant said. “I am there when these parents are going through some tough times,’’ she said.
She has held hundreds of babies while parents attend medical appointments or get some rest.
Helen Arnot
Hospital volunteer
Coopers Plains
She has clocked up 500 hours as a volunteer at Mater Hospital Brisbane.
Helen says she started volunteering in 2018 after receiving compassion and care from staff when she underwent a knee and hip replacement.
She volunteers across several areas including a newly introduced interactive games role for rehabilitation patients.
“This is a new area for me and some days involves playing card games with patients,” she said.
Lewis Hoffman
Rehab volunteer
Oxley
Surviving a stroke transformed Lewis Hoffman, who has given back by helping other stroke survivors, especially at Ozcare’s Canossa Private Hospital at Oxley.
Lewis, 90, a retired pharmacist, volunteers every Thursday at the not-for-profit hospital.
He is also a speaker for the Stroke Foundation and has now told his inspirational story at more than 100 events in southeast Queensland.
BRISBANE BAYSIDE
Jo-Anne O’Connor
Rotary Club of Wynnum Manly
Wynnum
President of The Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly, she and her fellow Rotarians have served the bayside community since the 1950s.
Jo-Anne’s team runs projects in and with schools, youth exchange and training programs, vocational visits and fundraisers.
They also support more than 60 overseas projects in countries such as Cambodia, India, Nepal and Vanuatu.
Kara Vallis
Cocktails for a Cause
Manly
The founder of Cocktails for a Cause, what Kara Vallis has done to raise awareness and funds for different charities on the bayside in recent years has been remarkable.
Cocktails for a Cause is a collaboration between four friends who love to celebrate life and friendships with a purpose.
In 2018, 12 friends decided to celebrate their friendship and the end of the year with a long lunch, raising $650 for Share the Dignity.
By the end of the event a committee had been formed and a decision made to share the celebration with the wider community.
Aunty Becky Thomson
Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Wynnum/Manly
Becky Thomson is the co-founder and current chair of the Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation.
Winnam ATSIC operates within the boundaries of the Quandamoooka country areas and also manages an aged care facility for ATSI people in Morningside.
Aunty Becky founded Winnam with Merle Dippel and Cheryl Jacob more than 30 years ago and has been volunteering ever since, helping countless people into homes.
Margaret Redfern
Wynnum Manly Eisteddfod/Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre
Wynnum
Margaret has been a major part of the bayside community for almost 50 years as a volunteer.
She has been volunteering with the Wynnum Manly Eisteddfod for more than 43 years and has been the speech and drama convenor for most of that time.
She has also been a regular volunteer at the Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre for decades, helping the over 50s community.
REDLANDS
Lorna Moore, Kerrin Kelly, Jan Sparrow
Mater Private Hospital Redland Auxiliary
Redlands
The trio has helped raise more than $130,000 for items such as patient chairs for a new oncology unit, a treadmill for the rehabilitation unit and overnight chairs and beds for palliative care patients so loved ones can stay overnight.
Their powerhouse team of eight volunteers holds annual fundraising events including pie drives, trivia nights, fashion parades and Christmas markets.
Ashleigh Cheers
Hospital volunteer
Cleveland
Mater volunteer Ashleigh Cheers looks after Yoshi, the pet therapy dog.
Yoshi, who is owned by the host of Channel Ten TV show Bondi Vet, Dr Alex Hynes, is handled by Ashleigh when he’s doing the rounds at Mater Children’s Private Hospital.
Ms Cheers said it was satisfying to see how much joy Yoshi brought to patients, young and old.
“He loves the attention, and he loves being here,” she said.
Kevin Kelly
Volunteer patient driver
Thornlands
A former 71-year-old police officer, he volunteers to drive cancer patients to Brisbane’s Mater Cancer Centre and says his focus is taking care of people who need it the most.
Kevin has formed strong friendships with patients since becoming a volunteer more than six months ago.
“I am a good listener and that’s important,” he said.
He travels across Brisbane and Logan.
Join the conversation
The 14 Qld regions where land values are set to soar
Landowners in 14 regions are bracing for new land valuations to come into effect in July, with most suburbs expected to post increases in value. SEARCH FOR YOUR SUBURB
Read more
‘Linda was the glue’: Tributes flow for Queensland basketball icon
The Queensland basketball community is in mourning following the death of icon Linda Ambrose who has been remembered for her passion for helping others and bringing a smile to the faces of many.
Read more