Skills based training initiative to help community organisations remain sustainable and viable
Did you know that Townsville has more than one thousand community organisations and groups providing anyone with a hobby or a cause an opportunity to find a group of like-minded people? This staggering number of volunteer groups range from sports clubs; arts and culture associations; environmental interests; animal welfare; education, physical and mental health groups; […]
Better Together Breakfast – Getting Back on Track
What a year it’s been! Of course you know how 2020 has impacted your organisation’s delivery of services. Or do you? Each impact is unique and, possibly, your organisation and volunteers may have been impacted in ways that you don’t know yet. Join us for the final Better Together Breakfast for 2020 at Rydges Southbank, […]
Training workshops to strengthen Resilience and Leadership skills in volunteering – 1 October 2020
On the occasion of our AGM, we are offering two free training workshops that will provide tools to help strengthen Resilience and Leadership skills in volunteering. LEADERSHIP – 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm This leadership program is designed to provide you with a clear understanding of a range of different styles of leadership suitable to […]
Annual General Meeting
Volunteering North Queensland Inc 2020 Annual General Meeting Thursday 1 October 2020 3:30pm to 4:00pm at TAFE Queensland Pimlico Campus, Cnr Hugh Street and Fulham Road, D Block, Level 1, Room D1.03 2020 AGM will include the Presentation of 2019/2020 Annual Report and Election of the 2020/2021 Management Committee Agenda Minutes Nomination Form Proxy Form Afternoon […]
Healthy Body and Active Mind, can Volunteering Help Seniors Achieve Both?
A healthy body and active mind are key goals for seniors as they head into retirement. After all, they have worked hard and now is the time to slow down and enjoy life. It’s time to do the things they have always wanted, like drive around Australia, spend more time seeing grandkids or taking up […]
A handy guide to getting started online to celebrate Seniors Week’s virtual events
Do you have a special senior in your life, or your organisation, who needs some help to get started online and build their digital skills? Check out the great resource – “Helping you to access virtual Seniors Week events using your smartphone or tablet” – at https://qldseniorsweek.org.au/. This handy guide will step them through the […]
Celebrating Queensland’s Seniors
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering but weren’t quite sure where to start, why not pop in to CIC and grab one of our flyers. What better way to celebrate our seniors, or celebrate as a senior, than to start your volunteer story? The annual celebration of Queensland’s seniors, in this its 60th year, is […]
Introducing our new Manager, Marie-Claude Brown
We are excited to announce Marie-Claude Brown has come on board the VNQ team as our new Manager. Marie-Claude is well-known in Townsville for her advocacy as the CEO of Townsville Chamber, a position she held from 2009 to 2020. In her work, Marie-Claude combines two visions: profitable businesses and strong communities. With the community […]
Recipients of the NQ Volunteer of the Year Awards 2020
Congratulations to the recipients of the NQ Volunteer of the Year Awards 2020. The awards were announced at our virtual On The Couch with VNQ celebration on Thursday 21 May.
The 2020 award recipients are:
Heart of Volunteering – Liz Downes, Wildlife Queensland, North Queensland Conservation Council and James Cook University Library
For more than 40 years, Liz has been passionately volunteering her time, expertise and skill for a number of community organisations. Liz is an inspiration in the conservation realm, participating in difficult environmental and social issues. It’s Liz’ research and storytelling ability though, that has enabled the Special Collections at JCU Library to gain such a following through a regular radio series on ABC North Queensland called ‘White Gloves’. Liz’ gift in locating and revealing stories of historical significance, communicating through her entertaining blog posts (of which there are now over 60) has been instrumental in connecting our history to around 14,000 radio listeners.
Youth Volunteering Award – Sarah McDonnell, Burdekin Shire Council (Community Development)
Sarah has become the face of many organisations and her school not only as a volunteer, but as a leader laying the foundation for future generations. Sarah’s enthusiasm and attitude towards volunteering is what has enabled her to successfully complete multiple projects with the Burdekin Shire Youth Council and Ayr State High School Interact Club including helping write a youth bill decriminalising sex work, establishing her high schools recycling project, and assembling birthing kits to donate internationally to aid countries in need.
Volunteer Impact Award – Susanne Gardner, The Pyjama Foundation
Sue has directly and positively impacted more than 600 people through her various volunteering activities in the community. At The Pyjama Foundation, Sue visits and mentors children who are living in foster care, coordinates the resource library for the Pyjama Angels, provides knowledge and support to those working with young children, and assists with fundraisers and community events. She works tirelessly across many volunteering organizations like the Townsville Toy Library and the Probus Club of Townsville always putting her hand up to help, and in her spare time she also helps out at the blood bank and knits hospital garments for women who have mastectomies.
Volunteer Achievement Award – Kate Pemberton, ‘Kate’s Campaign for Change’
In 2017, aged 15, Kate started the grassroots movement ‘Kate’s Campaign for Change’ to donate care packages through local not-for-profit organisations that help in-need and at-risk locals in the community. Kate who has difficulty with movement and speech, and uses a wheelchair for mobility, has overcome many obstacles to fulfil her role as the ‘Campaign Ambassador.’ Kate spends many hours a week collecting donated items across the city, creating care packages, and delivering packages to organisations for distribution. Her campaign is now supported by over 700 campaigners who donate goods or cash for care packages and volunteer their time to assist in collecting and packing activities.
We will be sharing more of their stories in the coming weeks.
NQ VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR VIRTUAL AWARDS 2020
https://youtu.be/8JYAd2Hui70 We are excited to have you join us for our first virtual celebration of the North Queensland Volunteer of the Year Awards! In these constantly changing times, it is more important than ever to recognise and acknowledge North Queensland’s volunteers. Join us from the comfort of your own home. On The Couch with VNQ will honour our […]