Volunteering North Queensland
2026 Volunteer of the Year Awards
Recipients
Congratulations to the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Awards Recipients!
Recipients of the Awards were announced at a Mayoral Civic Reception on 19th May 2026.
Volunteer of the Year
Award
Proudly sponsored by Townsville City Council
Click on Kathleen’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Kathleen Walsh is an exceptional volunteer whose unwavering commitment has transformed the lives of countless vulnerable people across North Queensland and beyond. As founder and volunteer CEO of the Craic On Foundation, Kathleen dedicates most of every day to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse, domestic and family violence, institutional abuse, and other traumatic experiences. Drawing on her own lived experience, she provides advocacy, emotional support, emergency assistance, court and police accompaniment, crisis accommodation, and practical care to individuals navigating some of life’s most difficult circumstances. Her work often extends late into the night and across weekends, always placing the needs of others before her own.
In addition to her advocacy work, Kathleen serves as a Board Member of the Rotary Club of Townsville, a member of Zonta Club of Townsville Metro, Queensland Representative for LOUD Fence, National Survivors’ Day Ambassador, and Justice of the Peace. She is widely respected for her compassion, integrity, resilience, and leadership. Kathleen also contributes to homelessness outreach, fundraising initiatives, and community events, consistently offering kindness and support wherever it is needed. Humble and selfless, Kathleen embodies the true spirit of volunteerism and community service.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Proudly sponsored by McDonald’s
Click on Madi’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Madi is an exceptional young volunteer whose leadership, compassion, and dedication have made a significant impact across the Townsville community. As a Cub Scout Leader with Belgian Gardens Scout Group and an active member and Chair of Florence Bay Rover Crew, she plays a vital role in mentoring young people, building confidence, and creating positive and inclusive environments. Her rapid progression to Chair of the Rover Crew, just over a year after joining, reflects the immense respect and trust she has earned from her peers.
Madi is particularly passionate about improving mental health outcomes for young people and the wider community. She has led numerous fundraising and awareness initiatives, including coordinating Florence Bay Rover Crew’s participation in The Push-Up Challenge, raising funds for Headspace Townsville, and organising a successful World Mental Health Day trivia fundraiser. Through these initiatives, she has helped fund accredited Mental Health First Aid training for community members, creating lasting benefits that extend far beyond the events themselves.
Despite working full-time in remote communities across Queensland, Madi consistently dedicates her time and energy to volunteering, often working late into the night to support projects and her peers. Her empathy, resilience, humour, and ability to inspire others make her a natural leader and role model. Madi embodies the true spirit of youth volunteering through her selflessness, initiative, and unwavering commitment to helping others.
Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award
Proudly sponsored by Townsville Bulletin
Click on Carol’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Carol has dedicated more than 50 years of voluntary service to the Hinchinbrook community, making a lasting impact through her compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to helping others. As one of the founding members of the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre, Carol helped establish a central hub of information and support for local families and individuals in need. Today, at 89 years of age, she continues to volunteer two days each week, playing a vital role in the Centre’s Emergency Relief Program, which provides food assistance and practical support to community members experiencing hardship.
Carol’s dedication extends beyond the Support Centre. She is actively involved with the Lions Club of Ingham, assisting with fundraising activities and community initiatives, and is also a committed member of Palliative Care Ingham, where she contributes to supporting and advocating for people receiving end-of-life care services.
Carol’s journey into volunteering began during a period of personal grief following the loss of her husband at a young age. Through volunteering, she found purpose and healing, and since then has devoted her life to supporting others with empathy, kindness, and genuine care. Her lived experience allows her to connect deeply with people facing hardship, offering not only practical assistance but also understanding and compassion.
Carol’s lifelong service, humility, and dedication have enriched countless lives and continue to inspire those around her. She truly embodies the spirit of community volunteering and selfless service.
Excellence in Volunteer Management Award
Proudly sponsored by The People and Culture Link
Click on Sandra’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Sandra Lamari has been a cornerstone of the Townsville Hike and Explore Group since its formation in 2018, demonstrating exceptional leadership, dedication, and commitment to volunteer management. As both a long-serving committee member and now in her second term as President, Sandra has played a vital role in the growth, organisation, and success of the group, while fostering a welcoming and inclusive community environment.
Sandra leads by example through her active involvement as a hike leader, generously volunteering her time to organise and lead walks for community members. She is particularly passionate about accessibility and inclusion, creating opportunities for people living with disabilities to participate in outdoor activities, social connection, and community engagement.
Behind the scenes, Sandra is instrumental in coordinating committee operations, ensuring strong governance, compliance, communication, and effective organisational management. She also oversees marketing and social media, helping grow the group’s reach and strengthen volunteer engagement.
Sandra’s volunteer management style is supportive, collaborative, and empowering. She mentors new hike leaders, provides guidance and practical support, and ensures volunteers feel confident and valued in their roles. Through regular recognition, clear communication, and genuine appreciation of volunteer contributions, she has built a strong, motivated, and committed volunteer base.
Community Volunteering Program Impact Award
Proudly sponsored by Volunteering Queensland
Click on Florence Bay Rover Crew’s name below to expand to read their volunteering story.
For more than 70 years, Florence Bay Rover Crew has delivered a youth-led program focused on adventure, leadership, service, and personal development, creating lasting positive impact within the Townsville community. Although the Crew paused during COVID, it successfully restarted in 2022 and has continued to grow as a vibrant and active program for young adults.
The Crew provides members with opportunities to develop leadership skills, resilience, teamwork, and confidence through activities including camps, hikes, regional events, and community service projects. Members are empowered to take ownership of their development while building lifelong skills and strong social connections in a supportive environment.
Beyond benefiting its members, Florence Bay Rover Crew makes a significant contribution to the wider community. The Crew regularly supports local Scout Groups, assists at community events, volunteers during flood emergencies, participates in environmental conservation projects, and contributes to charitable initiatives including mental health fundraising and blood donation drives. Members have also organised and supported events raising funds for Mental Health First Aid training, Lifeline, Headspace, and the Kookaburra Kids Foundation.
A defining strength of the Crew is its strong culture of mateship, inclusion, and support, fostering positive mental health and a sense of belonging among members. Through service, leadership, and community engagement, Florence Bay Rover Crew continues to develop capable young leaders while strengthening community connection and demonstrating the lasting value of youth volunteering and active citizenship.
Click on the RFDS Near & Far Auxiliary’s name below to expand to read their volunteering story.
Corporate Volunteering Award
Proudly sponsored by Queensland Country Bank
Click on the Biniris team’s name below to expand to read their volunteering story.
Kanden and the Biniris team have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community support through their involvement with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 50/50 Charity Raffle and their ongoing support of Cowboys Community Foundation initiatives across North Queensland. Their contribution reflects a genuine dedication to corporate volunteering, community partnership, and creating positive social impact.
The 50/50 Charity Raffle is a major game-day fundraising initiative held at North Queensland Toyota Cowboys home games, where volunteers sell raffle tickets throughout the stadium, with proceeds supporting important education, health, and social programs delivered across the region. Kanden and the Biniris team have provided exceptional support to the program, contributing their time, energy, and enthusiasm to ensure its continued success. Their involvement not only helps raise vital funds but also encourages community participation and connection on game days.
Beyond the raffle, Biniris also supports NRL Cowboys House through the provision of complimentary cleaning services. This generous in-kind contribution allows funding that would otherwise be allocated to operational costs to be redirected into essential education, wellbeing, and support services for Indigenous students from remote communities across Far North Queensland.
Through both practical support and active volunteering, Biniris demonstrates strong corporate social responsibility and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for young people and communities.
Sports Volunteer Award
Proudly sponsored by South32
Click on Lorraine’s name below to expand to read her volunteering story.
Lorraine has made an outstanding contribution to the lawn bowls community through her exceptional volunteer service, leadership, and organisational expertise over the past 17 years. She currently serves as Match Committee Secretary and Selector for the North Queensland District Ladies Bowling Association (NQDLBA), as well as Selector, Games Director, and Secretary of the Joint Advisory Committee at Suburban Bowling Club.
Lorraine plays a vital role in coordinating competitions and representative events across 18 clubs throughout North Queensland, covering a vast geographic region from Bowen to Hughenden and Ingham. Her responsibilities include scheduling events, preparing conditions of play, coordinating fixtures, managing representative teams, and maintaining records through the BowlsLink digital management system. Her dedication ensures competitions run smoothly, fairly, and efficiently for more than 350 female bowlers across the district.
Known for her exceptional attention to detail, time management, and people skills, Lorraine has embraced modern technology to improve communication and event management within the sport. She has become a recognised leader in implementing BowlsLink, enabling real-time access to competition information and results while strengthening the administration of lawn bowls across the region.
Beyond administration, Lorraine provides invaluable support to travelling representative teams and remains actively involved in club and district events. Her professionalism, reliability, and commitment have significantly strengthened the bowls community and enhanced opportunities for players at all levels.
President's Choice for Outstanding Volunteer Contribution
Proudly sponsored by VNQ
Click on Jach’s name below to expand to read his volunteering story.
At just 11 years old, Jach Marsden has quietly made a remarkable impact in our community through a simple but deeply meaningful act of care — knitting beanies for premature babies and people experiencing hardship.
Inspired by his great-grandmother, who knitted beanies during her cancer treatment and later made them for other patients, Jach has continued this beautiful legacy of kindness. Using his knitting loom and hand-crank machine, he creates warm and colourful beanies for premature babies, children, adults, and community members doing it tough.
Many of us were fortunate to hear Jach speak at our International Volunteer Day Breakfast last year, and since then his volunteering journey has continued to grow.
Most recently, Jach knitted 93 handmade poppies for Members of Parliament to wear in Parliament for Anzac Day — an incredible contribution that reflects both his generosity and community spirit.
One of Jach’s proudest moments was placing one of his handmade beanies on a five-day-old baby at Mater Women’s Hospital — a moment that showed just how powerful even the smallest act of kindness can be.
Jach’s message to others is simple but incredibly important: “You’re never too young to help. Every little act of kindness matters.”