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 […]
Making a lasting life changing difference to young people’s lives
When Ray Waters retired in 2016, he wanted to put his life experiences to good use and give something back to the community, particularly in areas where he felt he could make a positive and valuable contribution. And he has done that in spades! Ray first volunteered as part of a team at Camp Quality’s […]
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 […]
‘Rock’ of the office driven to help others
Described as the ‘Rock’ of the Oasis office, Erin Donnelly, an ex-chief clerk in the Army, had plenty to keep her busy and happy but felt there was room for volunteering to be a part of her retirement. Erin joined The Oasis Townsville, a referral and support hub, in 2018, an appointment she describes as […]
Peddling his way into the hearts of those in need
He wanted to ride fast and feel the wind on his face. He feared going fast and preferred to ride steadily. She needed every move explained – turning right, turning left, stopping, crossing a road, going up a hill, down a hill and so on in order to feel safe. These are just some of […]
Handled with care…the natural world and cultural history in safe hands
For more than 40 years, Liz Downes has been volunteering her time, expertise and skill for a number of community organisations. She currently volunteers for Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland and the JCU’s Mabo Library (Special Collections). Liz said, “I have always been passionate about nature conservation and protecting our environment and wildlife so it […]
Volunteering a way of life for recipient of NQ Youth Volunteer Award
Sarah McDonnell says she doesn’t know who she’d be without volunteering. The recipient of the Youth Volunteer Award at this year’s Virtual NQ Volunteer of the Year Awards, Sarah started volunteering at just 12 years of age. At 15, her volunteer horizons expanded when she became eligible to volunteer for leadership roles. Now aged 17, […]
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 […]