Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Robyn Cameron
Robyn Cameron not only wears her heart on her sleeve she also rolls them up and gets results. Over the past 10 years Robyn has raised over $2M for breast cancer research. Robyn’s passion for raising awareness and funds for cancer research was driven by her own personal journey having been diagnosed with cancer at 38 balancing motherhood and university studies and a reoccurrence at 48.
Robyn founded the Pink Ribbon Cup as an annual Gold Coast community fundraiser and has raised $1.58M National Breast Cancer Foundation with the help of essential volunteers. Robyn also established the Gold Coast Mother’s Day Classic inviting thousands of people to get involved and create a sea of pink.
Robyn shares her experience as a speaker to inspire and educate others. Robyn champions a world free of cancer and is a worthy winner of this year’s Gold Coast Volunteer of The Year.
Category finalists:
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- Sandra Johnston
- David Bell
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Emma Boyd
Emma found her voice through volunteering and connected with others to make small differences which snowballed into much larger impacts. Emma has been actively involved in many initiatives since planting trees year seven.
Her volunteering activities have grown to include the Cancer Council Ponytail Project, Botanical Bazaar Gold Coast Garden and Sustainability Festival, Youth Shout out Festival through the Volunteering Collective, protecting Koalas under the Naturally GC Landcare Program and leading a team which helped raise over $100K for Relay for Life .
Category finalists:
- Natasha Parkinson
- Allegra Nutley
Community Organisation of the Year
Winner: Fight 4 Youth
Fight 4 Youth, a dedicated youth support organisation based in Currumbin, has been awarded Community Organisation of the Year and the Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year award and at the 2024 Gold Coast Volunteer Awards. For the past 9 years, Fight 4 Youth has been making a powerful impact by providing vital programs and services to young people and their families, particularly those at risk or facing challenges such as crime and domestic violence.
Led by founder and director, Leisa Logan, who volunteers over 60 hours a week, the organisation fosters inclusivity and empowerment through physical activities, art, music, leadership programs, and support for young offenders transitioning from detention. It’s multicultural approach, such as the Youth Club Adventures program, helps build understanding between young people of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities. With a strong focus on life skills and positive change, Fight 4 Youth continues to shape brighter futures for young people, ensuring they are equipped to make better life choices.
Find out more about Fight 4 Youth Here.
Category finalists:
Student Volunteer Program of the Year
Winner: Rise Program – Hillcrest Christian College
Darren Rackemann is Head of School for years 5-12 at Hillcrest Christian College, and is determined to see Year 9 as a transformative year for students. He has developed the Rise Program that sees students volunteer across the community within the Future Fridays. Year 9 is a pivotal time for students and clearly the Rise program is connecting with students.
“At the end of the Rise program students are committed to their senior pathway and life after school” says Darren. The service through volunteering has built social connections and given volunteers the confidence to explore new areas. Students can be seen around the southern Gold Coast on the beach, in kindergartens and assisting with meal preparation to name a few activities. Volunteering alongside friends has been a powerful motivator.
Find out more about the Hillcrest Christian College Rise Program Here.
Category finalists:
- The Southport School – Year of Service
- 2024 Mayor Student Ambassador Program (Southern Cross University)
Corporate Social Impact Award
Winner: HOTA, Home of the Arts tied with GenNow
HOTA – Home of the Arts
Attracting volunteers to come to HOTA is no big challenge. It’s a place where the built environment complements the enthusiasm volunteers have for Art, where guests and volunteers get to bask in the talents of painters, sculptors and exhibitions. The Precint Ambassador Coordinator is Annaira Derevago whose army of volunteers, clad in their soft pink shirts, ensure visitors are the focus. It sits perfectly within Experience Gold Coast.
“For volunteers, HOTA is a place of learning that speak to locals, domestic and international visitors” says Annaira. Most often the Ambassadors take delight from seeing children engage with the precinct, playing in the outdoor spaces, by the lake or engaging with the children’s exhibitions in particular.
Find out more about HOTA Here.
GenNow
GenNow has been honoured with the Corporate Volunteering Program of the Year Award, sharing this recognition with HOTA, Home of the Arts. Based in Burleigh Heads, disability support provider GenNow is dedicated to creating meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth and young adults with disabilities. Director Matthew Dunn explains that through its strong partnerships with local community organisations, GenNow empowers participants to develop a diverse set of skills, with some even securing paid employment as a result. Notable initiatives include placements in the Dementia Choir at Varsity Lakes Community Centre, the Garden of Vegan project, and the establishment of a Garden Maintenance crew that provides paid work while supporting elderly residents.
Find out more about GenNow Here.
Category finalist:
Robina Town Centre Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year
Winner: Fight 4 Youth tied with Cycling Without Age
Cycling Without Age:
Getting out in the sun and fresh air beside the water on the Gold Coast is something that can be taken for granted. Through Cycling Without Age, Community Captain Wayne Sticher and his team of volunteers are making sure that everyone can ride. Volunteers using adaptive bikes cycle the Paradise Point paths, and they’re having a profound impact on their passengers who are not able to captain a bike themselves.
“Our two set ups allow us to bring the joy of cycling to people who use a wheelchair, or to take two people seated up front along the foreshore, and it’s changing their lives” says Wayne. Passengers have gotten emotional at being by the water, visible on their bike and part of the cycling community. Support workers have reported lower levels of anxiety during and after the ride for people living with a disability.
Find out more about Cycling Without Age Here.
Fight 4 Youth:
Fight 4 Youth, a dedicated youth support organisation based in Currumbin, has been awarded Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year and Community Organisation of the Year at the 2024 Gold Coast Volunteer Awards. For the past 9 years, Fight 4 Youth has been making a powerful impact by providing vital programs and services to young people and their families, particularly those at risk or facing challenges such as crime and domestic violence.
Led by founder and director, Leisa Logan, who volunteers over 60 hours a week, the organisation fosters inclusivity and empowerment through physical activities, art, music, leadership programs, and support for young offenders transitioning from detention. It’s multicultural approach, such as the Youth Club Adventures program, helps build understanding between young people of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities. With a strong focus on life skills and positive change, Fight 4 Youth continues to shape brighter futures for young people, ensuring they are equipped to make better life choices.
Find out more about Fight 4 Youth Here.
Category finalist:
