Volunteering North Queensland
2024 Volunteer of the Year Awards
Winners
Congratulations to the 2024 Volunteer of the Year Awards Winners!
Recipients of the Awards were announced at a Civic Reception on 21st May 2024.
Volunteer of the Year
Award
Proudly sponsored by McDonalds
Click on Jarrah’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Jarrah has been volunteering with Happy Feat Inc, a dance group for adults with differing abilities, since she was 15 and has just celebrated her 10 year anniversary with them. For the past 4 of those years she has been the groups dance teacher. Jarrah’s commitment is unwavering, not only does she spend every Wednesday night at the hall teaching, she spends countless hours choreographing routines to ensure each and every member is able to participate and shine to the best of their abilities, through the love of dance.
Through her passion for dance Jarrah is able to foster creativity, self-expression, physical fitness, and a love for dance within the community. She has an innate ability to develop innovative and imaginative dance routines that capture the interest and enthusiasm of the Happy Featers.
Happy Feat is not the only group lucky enough to have Jarrah on their team. Jarrah has been involved with a number of dance programs delivered into some of our local schools, been part of the audition process for local theatre groups and has choreographed dances for many performances in the local community, including the Delta Goodrem concert, the Dance for Daniel ball, Cowboys home games, the Mayor’s All Stars Concert and most recently the Bring Pink to Townsville video. Her smile, positivity and kindness are infectious and the sense of pride, confidence and accomplishment she nurtures within the Happy Feat group and volunteers is truly something to be seen, shared and acknowledged.
Jarrah is very committed to inclusiveness, so much so, she choreographed a chair dance, not just for those who have mobility issues but for everyone to participate in. Her motivation behind this was to be all embracing to everyone’s abilities and to show support to those who may not be as able bodied as others. During COVID when the weekly Happy Feat group could not meet, Jarrah was determined that they did not miss out, so she filmed herself doing the regular Wednesday night dances from her home. A couple of these videos were posted on the Happy Feat Facebook page at 7pm every Wednesday night so everyone could watch, follow and dance even though it was in their own lounge rooms. Socialising and interaction with others play such an important role to everyone but especially to those with extra needs and differing abilities and this was a fantastic way to support the group during the difficult time of isolation. Parents and carers were overwhelmingly grateful for Jarrah’s kindness and forward thinking in coming up with the idea.
Jarrah’s work extends beyond dance, fostering personal growth, community bonds, and enhancing well-being. She serves as an inspiration, motivating participants to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Jarrah also contributes to curriculum development, class planning, and choreography. Her passion for dance fosters creativity, self-expression, and physical fitness within the community. Her excellent communication and interpersonal skills, patience, empathy, and positive attitude are evident in her teaching. She is sensitive to diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions, incorporating elements of cultural dance into her routines. Her strong leadership skills foster a positive and enjoyable learning environment. Jarrah’s tireless efforts have left a lasting and positive impact, making her an exceptional candidate for the Volunteer of the Year award. Her work enriches the lives of its members and magnifies the outcomes for the group beyond a single individual’s capability. She truly is an enabler of joy, achievement, self-worth, and belonging. She has a skill that can be used to enrich the lives of others, challenge their abilities, and provide uncomplicated achievement. Her light and generosity shine brightly into the wider Townsville Community.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Proudly sponsored by Incitec Pivot
Click on Conor’s name below to expand to read his volunteering story.
Conor came to RMHC in 2017 through school (Southern Cross Catholic College) to undertake some work experience. He returned in 2021 to volunteer in the house at Townsville. Conor was a regular volunteer helping around the house, doing deliveries, picking up items & generally helping to ensure operations ran smoothly. He got a job but requested his new employment to allow him a Friday morning to continue his Volunteering with RMHC. He now works 5 days a week but still volunteers his time in the family room and has become a major part of RMHC. Conor always had a dream to play bagpipes at Anzac Day and in April 2024 this dream came true and the RMHC family could not be prouder. Conor has his own challenges with a disability but he does not let anything stop him achieving his goals and dreams and to us he is a super hero.
Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award
Proudly sponsored by Ergon Energy
Click on Sandra’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Sandra has been a scout leader since she was 16 years old in 1967. In 2019 she decided she wanted a change and a former colleague recommended she join Ronald McDonald House Charity. She has been a scout leader for 57 years. Sandra has been with RMHC NA for 5 years. As a former teacher’s aide she took on the role of “Learning Legends” twice a week to help the RMHC Children and families with learning, crafts and fun activities. Sandra has trained and mentored many Volunteers in her 5 years and is a regular at the local expos for scouts and RMHC. Sandra is a hard worker and is dedicated to the success of the learning programs she is involved in. She is committed to bringing fun and joy to every child and family in the RMHC. Sandra has contributed so much to the youth of Townsville for both scouts and the families in need at RMHC. She deserves every accolade possible for dedicating so much of her time to benefit others.
Excellence In Volunteer Management Award
Proudly sponsored by South 32
Click on Jim’s name below to expand to read his volunteering story.
Jim is First Officer of Rangewood Rural Fire Brigade and First Officer of Northern Region Operational Support Group and Rural Fire Brigade Association of Queensland Townsville area Representative. Jim is always looking for new ways to make the brigades contemporary, to close business short comings and ensure that the brigades can assist with effective service delivery for a safer QLD community in the line of fire and incident response. As the RFBAQ delegate he listens to the concerns and desires of members, provides guidance and support and tables the information at the required level within the organisation or at a political level within the Association’s bounds. This has included an initiative of creating welfare cubes consisting of washing machines, toilets and showers to deploy to incident grounds to assist with contamination, and amenities for firefighting crews in remote locations. This capability was not previously in existence prior within the RFS Townsville area.
Jim is the first volunteer in QLD to undertake control a level 3 incident training, joining a handful of paid QFES personnel who hold the qualification in the state. Jim has been creating unique although basic training events to ensure members remain engaged utilising his membership base skillsets including trailer reversing, HR, forklift and telehandler licenses with internal training sessions. Meetings that are held are designed for both information sharing and gathering and including trialling new ways to try new things within the organisations policies and procedures. Jim is currently focused on with the assistance of the Area Director to find appropriate roles that personnel can undertake that cannot be operational firefighters, understanding their medical restrictions and providing meaningful tasks for organisational contributions.
Community Volunteering Impact Award
Proudly sponsored by Townsville Bulletin
Click on Happy Feat’s name below to expand to read his volunteering story.
Happy Feat Inc Townsville is an exceptional dance group catering to individuals with special needs and “differing abilities.” Since its inception in May 2010, Happy Feat has been a beacon of inclusivity, providing a supportive and encouraging environment where participants can showcase their talents and abilities without the constraints of labels or limitations. Members of the group face various challenges, including Acquired Brain Injuries, Down syndrome, Autism, Asperger’s, and Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. Despite these challenges, Happy Feat fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment through weekly dance sessions and regular performances at community events.
The primary aim of Happy Feat Inc Townsville is to promote the integration of individuals with disabilities into the broader community through the art of dance. Their objectives include:• Facilitating interaction between persons with disabilities and the general community through dance and related activities.• Providing tailored dance tuition to individuals with mental and physical disabilities, accommodating their unique needs and abilities.• Increasing public awareness and understanding of disabilities through public performances by the association’s dance groups.• Offering social and recreational activities for the benefit of individuals with disabilities, enhancing their quality of life and providing relief from the challenges they face.• Promoting equality and fostering a culture of inclusivity where everyone is valued and respected for their abilities.
The program/activity benefits various stakeholders within the Townsville community:• Individuals with disabilities benefit from a supportive and inclusive environment where they can express themselves through dance, build confidence, and form meaningful connections with their peers.• Families and caregivers of participants find a supportive community through Happy Feat, where their loved ones are celebrated and included, reducing social isolation and providing respite.• Happy Feat’s performances and activities contribute to a more inclusive and understanding community, challenging stereotypes and promoting acceptance of individuals with disabilities.
In summary, Happy Feat Inc Townsville’s dance program goes beyond entertainment; it serves as a platform for empowerment, inclusion, and social change. By providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in dance classes and community events, Happy Feat has made a significant impact on the lives of its members and the broader Townsville community. Their dedication to promoting equality and celebrating diversity truly embodies the spirit of the VNQ 2024 Volunteering Impact Award.
Happy Feat regularly participates in community events, bringing joy and entertainment to residents of Townsville. Their performances not only showcase the talents of individuals with disabilities but also foster a sense of unity and inclusivity within the community. Through dance sessions and performances, participants of Happy Feat develop confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment. Many members have reported increased social skills, improved physical health, and a greater sense of belonging within the community. Many have gone on to gain full time employment and some have commenced their own businesses. Gaining confidence has changed their lives. Happy Feat’s activities raise awareness about the abilities and potential of individuals with disabilities. By challenging stereotypes and breaking down barriers, they promote a more inclusive and understanding community where diversity is celebrated. The program provides not only a platform for individuals with disabilities to showcase their talents but also a supportive community where they can form friendships, share experiences, and receive encouragement from peers and mentors. Since its inception, Happy Feat has consistently maintained high attendance rates, with a waiting list for both members and supporters. With 40 Happy Featers with special needs and an additional 60 attendees including support workers, families, and volunteers, each weekly session accommodates approximately 100 people.
