Volunteering North Queensland
2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards
Winners
Congratulations to the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Awards Winners!
Recipients of the Awards were announced at a Mayoral Civic Reception on 20th May 2025.
Volunteer of the Year
Award
Proudly sponsored by Townsville City Council
Click on Susan’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
As president of Crystal Creek Sports and Recreation, Susan Triffitt (named among Townsville’s 50 most influential women) demonstrates extraordinary leadership. During the 2025 floods, she mobilised emergency relief when her community was isolated, coordinating supplies at the community hall and helping restore fuel access.
A domestic violence survivor and single mother of three, Susan brings deep empathy to her volunteer work. She balances her professional career as a business analyst with tireless community service, including ongoing support through the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre. Her crisis response and dedication to long-term community resilience make her an inspirational figure in the Hinchinbrook region.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Proudly sponsored by McDonald’s
Click on Poppylillac’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Poppylillac Gough founded The Poppy Project to support children of first responders after experiencing firsthand the emotional toll of her father’s 35-year police career. Witnessing his PTSD and the impacts of missed family events, she created school-based mental health programs to help kids facing similar challenges feel less isolated.
Currently active in Townsville schools and looking to expand, the initiative provides group counseling and peer support for these “forgotten heroes.” Poppylillac ‘s personal journey from struggling with anxiety to creating this vital resource demonstrates remarkable resilience. Her work not only honours first responders’ sacrifices but ensures their children receive the understanding and support they need to thrive.
Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award
Proudly sponsored by Townsville Bulletin
Click on Ann-Maree’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
For over 40 years as a volunteer, Ann-Maree has embodied the spirit of Scouting as Group Leader of Kirwan Scout Group. Her exceptional leadership guides youth and adult volunteers alike, fostering personal growth, resilience and community values through adventure and skill-building activities.
Ann-Maree expertly manages all group operations – from recruiting leaders and coordinating camps to organising fundraisers and handling administration. Her dedication extends beyond Scouts through active community engagement, building relationships with local organisations and leaders.
A natural mentor with infectious passion, Ann-Maree creates an inclusive environment where young people develop into responsible citizens. Her calm, solution-focused approach and selfless commitment – often going above and beyond without seeking recognition – inspire both Scouts and fellow volunteers.
Through her tireless service, Ann-Maree not only strengthens Scouting but enriches the entire community, demonstrating how volunteering creates lasting positive change.
Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Proudly sponsored by Incitec Pivot
Click on Narelle’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
For over 35 years, Narelle Burns has dedicated herself to serving North Queensland communities, including 17 years managing Visitor Information Centres and now as the Volunteer Program Manager for Brighter Lives, the official charity of Townsville Hospital and Health Service. Her compassionate leadership has transformed volunteer engagement, creating a thriving team that supports patients, visitors, and staff across healthcare facilities.
Narelle’s expertise shines through her thoughtful management approach. She has developed streamlined recruitment processes that welcome both adults and students, including a popular school holiday program. Every volunteer receives comprehensive training and ongoing support, ensuring they feel confident and valued in roles ranging from patient assistance to community events. Her genuine appreciation for volunteers is evident through personal thank-you notes, team celebrations, and regular check-ins that foster long-term commitment.
What sets Narelle apart is her ability to connect individual passions with meaningful opportunities. By actively listening to volunteers and tailoring roles to their skills, she’s built an inclusive community where over 150 people contribute purposefully. Her innovative spirit and warm professionalism don’t just manage volunteers—they inspire a culture of kindness that ripples through every hospital corridor. Narelle’s legacy is a testament to how visionary leadership can brighten lives, one volunteer at a time.
Community Volunteering Program Impact Award
Proudly sponsored by South32
Click on Meals on Wheels Mount Isa Branch’s name below to expand to read their volunteering story.
For 45 years, Mount Isa Meals on Wheels has delivered nutritious meals to seniors and people with disabilities who cannot shop or cook for themselves. One dedicated volunteer has served since its inception.
Beyond meal delivery, the service provides vital social connection through daily volunteer visits, reducing isolation and improving mental health. Meals are tailored to dietary needs, including pureed or low-salt options, ensuring proper nutrition for vulnerable clients.
The program offers families peace of mind while helping recipients maintain independence at home. This cost-effective alternative to aged care has become an indispensable community service, addressing both physical and emotional wellbeing through nourishment and human connection.
Corporate Volunteering Award
Proudly sponsored by Queensland Country Bank
Click on Ausfield Service’s name below to expand to read their volunteering story.
For the past five years, Ausfield Services has been a cornerstone supporter of Kate’s Campaign for Change through their ongoing container recycling initiative. By consistently collecting and donating their eligible 10¢ containers for recycling, Ausfield has helped generate thousands of dollars to purchase essential items for vulnerable members of our community.
This partnership demonstrates a powerful dual impact:
- Environmental Benefit - Diverting thousands of containers from landfill
- Social Impact - Directly assisting locals in need through recycled funds
As a proudly Townsville-owned business for 20 years, Ausfield Services lives its community values by:
- Employing local workers
- Sourcing equipment/materials from local businesses
- Investing $1.2M+ annually in the local economy
Their $70,000 in 2024 community donations including $22,000 to animal welfare and $22,500 to Paluma Push – further demonstrates their commitment. Through both environmental action and strategic philanthropy, Ausfield showcases how businesses can drive meaningful local change.
Sports Volunteer Administrator Award
Proudly sponsored by Marwill
Click on Chrystal’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
As Club Registrar for junior and senior teams, Crystal Wallace handles player registrations, uniform coordination, and secretarial duties with unwavering dedication. She ensures no child misses out on playing, assists in recruiting volunteers, and often steps in to fill gaps wherever needed.
Known for her positivity and warmth, Crystal welcomes newcomers and supports families, even providing financial assistance when required. Her exceptional time management and passion for community sport shine through in everything she does.
Through administrative challenges and last-minute demands, Crystal’s hard work and inclusive spirit uphold the club’s values, creating a thriving environment for young athletes. Her tireless commitment makes her an indispensable part of Souths Rugby League Football Club.
Neighbour of the Year Award
Proudly sponsored by Bravus
Click on Jimmy’s name below to expand to read his volunteering story.
When floods cut off Forrest Beach, Jim Overall—a paramedic and 1300MEDICS operations manager—sprang into action after seeing a plea for help on Facebook. Using his own funds and contacts, he coordinated helicopter deliveries of vital supplies like baby formula, nappies, and medical equipment. He secured donations from stores like Kmart and even purchased essentials himself, ensuring premature twins had formula and arranging standby medical transport for a high-risk pregnancy.
For Jim, it was personal. Having experienced pregnancy loss with his wife in 2021, he was driven by empathy, saying he couldn’t bear leaving anyone in need. While managing the crisis, he also planned aid for nearby flood-hit areas like Cardwell.
Jim embodies what it means to be an extraordinary neighbour—selfless, proactive, and compassionate. He didn’t wait for orders; he saw a community as family and acted. In disaster, Jim didn’t just help—he gave hope.