About Us
Who We Are
Volunteering NQ is a leading Volunteer Resource Centre, connecting individual, corporate and groups of volunteers with great volunteer opportunities.
We also provide training for volunteer managers and community organisations to strengthen the not-for-profit sector and networking events for the NFP, Business and Government sectors provide a platform for value adding relationships to be developed.
Our services are available in Townsville and expanding to Ingham, Charters Towers and the Burdekin.
Management Committee
Cr Margie Ryder
President
Margie Ryder, commonly known as “Mad Maggies”,is what some call the little pocket Dynamo. Under Margie’s stewardship, the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival was awarded Queensland Best Festival / Event at the Tourism Queensland awards and was also Highly Commended at the Australian Tourism Awards.
Margie has spent over 10 years as a Councillor, numerous years as a volunteer in various roles and has overseen the HR and finance arm of their family engineering business, which now employs 27 people locally.
She is the Townsville City Council’s elected representative for Division 1.
Margie’s sometimes unruly way of getting sponsorship or networking has worked in her favour, but her passion for the volunteer sector is what drives her.
Without volunteers NOTHING happens.
Rob Birnie
Vice President
Bio coming soon.
Ernie Bunt
Treasurer
Born in Emerald, Queensland, Ernie completed Primary school there and some Secondary school at North Rockhampton High.
He has held various jobs over the years including tradesman in the Railway and 20 years in the Service Industry finishing as a Regional Manager for P&O Services with a budget of $12-15 million.
He has also spent 10 years in the Youth Welfare System and 25 years in the Scout Movement, of which the last 20 years has been as Regional Commissioner and a member of the State Management.
Hayley Pender
Secretary
My name is Hayley Pender, I’m 31 years old. I was born and raised in Townsville, North QLD.
In 2010 I met my partner and we married in 2016. We have 2 daughters, aged 2 and 5. Together we own a local business (Elite Performance and Tuning). When I’m not wrangling the children and the bookkeeping, my husband, myself and our kids are at motorsport events.
I enjoy spending my free time organising charity events to raise money for local families in need. I’ve always believed that although we can’t help everyone, everyone can help someone!
Anne Camplin
Born and raised in the Townsville community. I am passionate about giving back and investing in the future of Townsville.
I work in the Banking sector in a specialised team within the Commonwealth Bank, tasked with supporting some of the community’s most vulnerable people. From those experiencing Family and Domestic violence to others who suffer from mental and physical health issues which affect them in being able to meet their liability commitments and/or daily basic living needs.
I value health and fitness in all forms, physical, mental and psychological. I am an active person who loves working out in the gym and exploring the great outdoors both above and below water. In my spare time. I enjoy supporting local organisations aligned to my own personal passions, I am the secretary for the Townsville Hike and Explore Group, getting out and about adventuring in our great region as often as possible.
As well as being a member of the VNQ Committee I am also a member of the Townsville City Council Family and Domestic Violence Action Planning Group, working towards ending violence against women and children.
Trayden Fulmer
Trayeden Fulmer is our youngest management committee member, but certainly does not lack experience. As he once claimed at the fresh age of 15 following his significant impact on the clean-up effort of the 2019 flooding event, his volunteer instinct, leadership and management skills stem from his “life experience”.
Trayeden is a true North Queenslander, being born in Townsville, spending his life calling Townsville home. He understands the values of the North Queensland community, and has a strong sense of pride in delivering and improving for the volunteers of our region, ensuring that volunteers are recognised, rewarded and respected.
Trayeden has been a familiar face in the Volunteering world and has been a key member of the Volunteering North Queensland, bringing a fresh perspective from our youth. He has previously held positions as a Management Committee Member, Secretary and Vice-President.
He has a strong passion for educating organisations on how to better deliver their programs to youth, and also empowering young people to volunteer. Trayeden has key capabilities in governance, relationship building and community engagement and will continue to work to develop and improve the services of Volunteering North Queensland.
Wes Graffin
I was born and raised in Charters Towers, completing Secondary education at All Souls and St Gabriels.
At 17, I moved to Townsville and began employment at Sun Metals where I have continued working for the last 24 years. I have raised my family here in Townsville and absolutely love North Queensland.
I enjoy outdoor activities, especially camping and hiking, and also have a passion for photography.
I have volunteered in differing capacities over the years with local community groups and disaster recovery efforts. I understand the vital importance of volunteers in our communities and what it means to have these services available in times of need. This led me to joining Volunteering North Queensland where I look forward to being a part of seeing our volunteer take-up and engagement grow.
Donnie Harris
Donnie holds a law degree from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane and is an admitted Solicitor. Donnie is the principal of a law firm in Townsville and is recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Business Law.
In his spare time, Donnie enjoys mountain bike riding and learning to master guitar. Donnie enjoys travelling to locations in Victoria for mountain biking, including Bright and Beechworth.
Donnie has been involved with various community and charity organisations in his lifetime, is a long-serving member of the Apex Club of Townsville and has volunteered at various events as a member of that organisation.
Two of Donnie’s more recent roles are:
- The Cure Starts Now Australia. This is a charity established in Townsville. Donnie is a founding member and director. As a result, Donnie has firsthand knowledge of how to start a Charity, compliance obligations and what it takes to grow and remain relevant in a competitive charitable market. Donnie is presently the Chair of the Board.
- Apex Camps. Apex Camps operates school camp facilities at Mudjimba on the Sunshine Coast (300 plus beds) and another on Magnetic Island (100 plus beds). The purpose of this charity is to provide outdoor recreation, education and learning to children and young people. Donnie visits both facilities and continues to volunteer his time when required. Donnie is presently the Chair of the Board.
Cassie Mendo
Cassie has over 30 years’ experience in sales and management roles within conference, events and hotels in Townsville and Brisbane. Cassie was part of the inaugural team who launched the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in February 2020 for the Elton John concert.
Cassie has been involved in volunteering from a very young age inherited from her parents’ involvement in many charity organisations namely Rotary.
Cassie was also involved in the inaugural Camp Quality North Queensland camp in 1991 after her mother was instrumental in bringing Camp Quality to Townsville. She continued as a companion for many years in Townsville and also in Brisbane. In 2011 Cassie volunteered with Margie for the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival assisting in running all media and marketing for the event that year. Cassie has also been a volunteer on the Ronald McDonald House Charity Ball Committee for many years up until 2021.
Michael Pugh
Michael is a highly-experienced Business Manager with an Operations/Safety & Compliance/Training background. He is a dedicated and enthusiastic professional with extensive knowledge and experience across numerous sectors.
Founder of the Townsville and Central Queensland Hike and Explore Groups, building social, inclusive outdoor networks using a community based approach is Michael’s hobby and passion.
He is President of the CCBG (Clermont Community Business Group) and a sitting member on the MIW Regional Community Forum (Dept. Premier and Cabinet / Advancing Queensland Regions).
Michael was nominated for a Citizen of the Year award in 2022 (Australia Day Awards/MIW) and won the 2022 Gold Award for “Most Outstanding Volunteer Individual” at the Mackay Isaac Tourism Awards.
A strong advocate for Townsville, Clermont, North and Central Queensland, Michael is passionate about rural, regional and outdoor communities.
Michelle Rennick
Michelle Rennick, commonly known as Shelly amongst friends and family, was born and raised in Townsville. She attended Holy Family Primary School and Pimlico State High School.
Shelly was heavily involved in the community, through her association with the Stuart State School P&C Association Committee. She was involved in her sporting events for kids, always volunteering her time and assisting where possible.
Shelly has had a long work history in retail work, with international brands and winning awards for her sales and customer service abilities. She was one of the first charter members of the Saints Rotary and served in the Australian Army Reserve for a number of years.
Shelly and her husband, Phil, are local businesspeople with a well-established business in Townsville. Their firm regularly sponsors sporting events, charities, and sports clubs such as the Estate Football Club. Shelly is a Justice of the Peace and has been for over fifteen years. In her spare time, Shelly likes fishing, spending time with friends and family, attending the theatre, and watching sports.
Shelly is a wife, mother to three adult children, and grandmother with extremely strong ties to Townsville and it is her desire to continue making her contribution to the Townsville community.
