Rowena Dionysius named as finalist for Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award

After a shock cancer diagnosis, a dedicated volunteer started working to help others access lifesaving treatment. Now she’s been honoured as a finalist for a statewide award.

When Kingaroy volunteer Rowena Dionysius was first diagnosed with breast cancer, the South Burnett Relay for life connected her to a community who understood her fears and helped her in her treatment journey.

Now 15 years later Ms Dionysius has dedicated countless hours toward helping others navigate their own cancer diagnosis and raising more than $1.7 million for the Cancer Council as the relay’s Chair.

“I've been on the committee for 15 years. I’ve actually been to every relay in the South Burnett, but I got on the committee after 2007 when I had cancer,” she said.

“I wanted to give back to the community that had assisted me to be able to get all of that help I needed.

“And since then it’s also made realise there’s such a big gap between people first getting a diagnosis and then knowing what’s available to them.”

Relay for Life chair Rowena Dionysius with the relay torch that has passed through towns across Queensland.

Ms Dionysius said the relay creates a sense of camaraderie, where people can come together to clear the isolating fog that can come with a cancer diagnosis and connect with people who understand what they going through.

“My experience wasn’t just a straightforward one, I was quite ill for a long time afterwards,” she said.

“I was diagnosed with another cancer in 2011, a rare form of neck cancer, and through that I was actually able to help someone else make the decision to have treatment when they weren’t going to.

“I was able to talk to them about it and let them know my experiences. To know that you could have saved someone’s life is very rewarding.”

On Friday morning Ms Dionysus was honoured as a finalist for the Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award, which was announced by State Governor Dr Jeannette Young Brisbane City Hall.

A Volunteering Queensland spokesman said Ms Dionysius’ efforts have funded vital services that Cancer Council Queensland provide in Kingaroy and South Burnett, including “accommodation and travel assistance, counselling support, and education and prevention campaigns that target the needs of rural communities”.

“By raising awareness about cancer in regional Queensland, Rowena is saving lives by providing knowledge in the community.

“Her events create a space for the community to discuss, learn, and educate themselves on cancer treatment and prevention.

“Above and beyond fundraising, people in the community come to Rowena for guidance if they have a problem or a concern about cancer. Rowena directs them to the right support services when they need it the most.”

The next South Burnett Relay for Life will be held on Saturday October 8, with registration now available. Funds will go toward lifesaving cancer research, support services and prevention programs.

The relay’s official launch breakfast will also be held at the Kingaroy RSL on Friday June 3. Tickets are available HERE.

Originally published as Rowena Dionysius named as finalist for Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award