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Category: Newsfeed

‘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 […]

Announcing the shortlisted nominees for the NQ Volunteer of the Year Awards 2020

We are excited to announce the shortlisted Nominees for the 2020 North Queensland Volunteer of the Year Awards. Congratulations to all award nominees on your nomination. You truly do live up to this years theme “Changing Communities. Changing Lives.”

The recipients of the awards will be announced at our virtual On The Couch with VNQ celebration tonight at 7:00pm at https://www.vnq.org.au/nvw/

Youth Volunteering Award
• Sarah McDonnell – Burdekin Shire Council (Community Development)
• Claire Treagust – The Palliative Care Unit – THHS
• Sean Foster – St Vincent de Paul Society QLD
Volunteer Impact Award
• Susanne Gardner – The Pyjama Foundation
• Ray Waters – NRL Cowboys House
• Louise Marsden – Townsville Kennel Assoc & Thuringowa Kennel Club
Volunteer Achievement Award
• Luke Ross – Conservation Volunteers Australia
• Gerard Byrne – Small Business Recovery Centre
• Kate Pemberton – ‘Kate’s Campaign for Change’
Heart of Volunteering Award
• Erin Donnelly – The Oasis Townsville
• Liz Downes – Wildlife Queensland, NQ Conservation Council & James Cook University Library
• John Morton – Ozcare Villa Vincent

‘ON THE COUCH’ WITH VNQ TO RECOGNISE NORTH QUEENSLAND VOLUNTEERS

With annual National Volunteer Week celebrations under a cloud of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 situation, Volunteering North Queensland (VNQ), in a major break from tradition, is forging ahead with plans to deliver the North Queensland Volunteer of the Year Awards in a virtual format.
‘On The Couch’ with VNQ will feature the inspiring volunteer stories of the shortlisted nominees and the announcement of the recipients of the four NQ Volunteer of the Year Awards by well-known Townsville radio identity, Glenn Mintern.
Once again, the contribution to community by the volunteers nominated has been outstanding according to Natalie Dukes, Volunteering North Queensland’s Acting Manager.
“We feel it is important now more than ever to tap in to the sense of community Townsville is renowned for and to connect, celebrate and thank our amazing volunteers who truly do live up to this year’s theme “Changing Communities. Changing Lives,” Ms Dukes said.
Joining VNQ ‘On The Couch’ will be special guest speaker Dr Joann Lukins. With a PhD in Psychology and over 25 years’ experience in her field, Dr Lukins is renowned for empowering individuals and organisations to realise their potential.
Ms Dukes said, “For our volunteering community to have access to Dr Lukins’ insights, usually reserved for professional athletes and executive teams, is invaluable and a great opportunity.”
‘On The Couch’ with VNQ will be streamed online at 7:00pm on the 21st May.
Registrations are now open at vnq.org.au/nvw. Everyone who registers will receive the most up to date information and practical guides on how to get the most out of the event.
This event is proudly supported by the Port of Townsville, Creative Flare NQ and the Department of Social Services.

Leaving a legacy to benefit generations to come

Author, snake-catcher, committee president, manager of Landcare sites. These are just some of the hats Greg Calvert wears in his quest to make the environment a better place for all of us.

“Seeing degraded landscapes suffering from long-term neglect I started working on revegetating the riverbank behind my parents’ house,” Greg said.

“Since then I’ve volunteered with many groups including the North Queensland Herpetological Society, Society for Growing Australian Plants and Townsville Snake Catchers.”

Greg was involved with Landcare from its inception as the Tropical Urban Production and Landcare Group that later merged with another to become the Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc. 18 years on, he has served on the committees in various roles including as president of the Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc.

“The work we do will leave behind a legacy that will endure for far longer than any of us. I like to think that the trees I plant will be appreciated by generations of people not yet born, “Greg said.

“It’s a quiet sort of work, very much out of the spotlight, a few hours on weekends, sometimes an hour after work. Whenever I get disheartened, I look back at photos and see how far we have come. I enjoy the company and camaraderie of like-minded people who work alongside towards a common goal.”

“Being able to inspire and encourage others to follow a similar path is probably the biggest positive impact I’ve ever had.”

Finding and completely eradicating several species of weeds before they were able to get established in Townsville has been one of the many highlights of Greg’s work.

He is most proud of co-authoring “Rare and Threatened plants of the Townsville-Thuringowa Region” for Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare in 1995, his first publication.

Greg said the skills and experience he has developed as a volunteer have helped immensely in his career as a botanist and ecologist. “I’ve met many friends along the way, and have enjoyed so many trips out bush collecting seeds, growing them, planting them and maintaining them.”

“In the high stress life of a PhD student and consultant, it’s nice to have somewhere I can burn off a bit of frustration chopping out weeds and getting away from the hustle and bustle to be among the forest I helped plant and grow.

It is very soothing, settling and calming to be in a place where you can reflect on what’s going on around you, shaded by a whole forest, where you helped bring life to every one of those tall trees. I always know that even if I dropped dead tomorrow, I’d leave behind something positive.”