Toowoomba Regional Council recognises outstanding service of volunteers at morning tea

Long-serving volunteers have been recognised for their service to the Toowoomba Regional Council.

Councillors and staff gathered to honour community volunteers for their dedication to years of service

Toowoomba Regional Council has recognised 47 volunteers at a morning tea for their dedication to serving the community.

The star of the show on Friday morning was Lyndall Madden, who was honoured for 40 years of service, volunteering across Pittsworth, Biddeston, Oakey, and Toowoomba.

After retiring from her teaching career, Ms Madden began at the Oakey Art Group as the secretary and treasurer. Not long after she was seconded to the duty of the regional arts development fund where she volunteered for 15 years.

Councillor James O'Shea, Lyndall Madden, and town crier Kevin Howarth

Moving to Pittsworth, Ms Madden’s involvement with the regional council began when she started her work with the Pittsworth Art Gallery & Visitor Information Centre.

“Being a Pittsworthite, I would get called up quite often and help visitors find where they wanted to go, like if they wanted to visit where their grandfather once lived,” Ms Madden said.

“It was really natural for me, and if I didn’t know something I could always ask my sister who was the Mayor of Pittsworth at the time.”

As well as her work at the art gallery in the visitor’s centre, Ms Madden volunteered at the Pittsworth Pioneer Village

“There’s always something happening at the Pioneer Village, that’s what I’ve learnt. There’s always an event to organise,” Ms Madden said.

“But I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t like it. I’ve made lots of contacts and friends over the years from it.

“The rewards of volunteering are far greater than the effort. It is no effort if you love what you do and helping people.”

Ms Madden now continues to volunteer at the Pittsworth Pioneer Village and said being presented with her certificate of appreciation at the morning tea was quite emotional.

(Back) Mayor McDonald and community volunteers Geoff Lawson with (left) June Coward, Irene Taylor, Lyndall Madden, Val Stevens and Geoff Lawson

Long-serving volunteer at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Val Stevens has been providing her service for more than 25 years.

“I’ve been at the gallery for so long, but I’m so pleased and proud of my time there,” Ms Stevens said.

Ms Stevens was happy to be apart of the morning tea, and said it was an amazing event.

“It has been a wonderful morning with everyone,” she said.

Mayor Geoff McDonald said there was a collective 444 years of service dedicated to the community from the 47 volunteers.

“It really is worth celebrating. Volunteering is in the psyche of all Australians I believe and our region is no exception and so we are very blessed,” Mr McDonald said.

“We’ve got some 600 volunteers across all of the various programs and initiatives that the council runs. So without (volunteers), it would be very difficult to deliver … it just wouldn’t go ahead without our volunteers.

“It’s amazing to think that someone can dedicate the most precious gift of all time to someone else for 40 years.

“We have seen a couple of volunteers who have done 25 and 20 years of service and even when talking to those who have been volunteering for five years you understand a bit as to why they do volunteer and quite often the reasons are similar, to give back to the community.”

List of volunteers honoured:

5 years

Gerry Donahoe – Australia Day Working Group (Oakey)

Darryl Williamson – Australia Day Working Group (Oakey)

Bob Holzheimer – Australia Day Working Group (Pittsworth)

Janene Howard – Australia Day Working Group (Pittsworth)

Ann French – Crows Nest Community Nursery

Lynda Georgeson – Hampton Visitor Information Centre

Lyn Johnston – Hampton Visitor Information Centre

Margie Young – Hampton Visitor Information Centre

Helen Bawden OAM – Regional Access and Disability Advisory Committee (RADAC)

Nadia Brady – Regional Access and Disability Advisory Committee (RADAC)

Kim Stokes – Regional Access and Disability Advisory Committee (RADAC)

Katelyn Morgenstern – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Eileen Scott – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Jane Shell – Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Kaye Judge – Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery

Eileen Emery – Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre

10 years

Glen Beutel – Anzac Day Working Group (Acland)

Merilyn Plant – Anzac Day Working Group (Acland)

Sid Plant – Anzac Day Working Group (Acland)

Tanya Plant – Anzac Day Working Group (Acland)

Scott Federoff – Australia Day Working Group (Oakey)

Alma Haaijer – Australia Day Working Group (Oakey)

Sam Kennedy – Australia Day Working Group (Oakey)

Estelle Dempster – Australia Day Working Group (Toowoomba)

Jill Warner – Crows Nest Art Gallery

Helene Johnson – Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC)

Judi Powell – Highfields Library – Friends of the Library (FOL)

Laurel Adams – Pittsworth Pioneer Village

Scotia McCawley – Pittsworth Pioneer Village

Debbie Zeller – Pittsworth Pioneer Village

Heather Guppy – Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre

15 years

Eddie Starr – Australia Day Working Group (Clifton)

Marj Spencer – Australia Day Working Group (Oakey)

Julie Smith – Hampton Visitor Information Centre

Carolyn Kahler – Pittsworth Pioneer Village

Margaret Taylor – Toowoomba City Library – Home Library Service (HLS)

20 years

June Coward – Hampton Visitor Information Centre

Irene Taylor – Hampton Visitor Information Centre

25 years

Geoff Lawson – Hampton Visitor Information Centre

Val Stevens – Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery

40 years

Lyndall Madden – Pittsworth Pioneer Village