Volunteer of the Year acknowledges an individual who has made a significant contribution through their volunteer efforts and exemplifies what the power of volunteerism can have on the wider community.
Diann is an integral part of St John’s Crisis Centre. She started volunteering in 2015 at St John’s Crisis Centre cooking and serving breakfast to homeless people and people in crisis. When Covid hit Diann ensured the office could continue to help people in crisis by changing face to face interviews to telephone, creating a seamless transition. Assisting over 5.500 people. Diann is now the President, with the centre growing strength to strength.
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Category finalists:
Find out more about St John’s Crisis Centre here.
The Youth Volunteer of the year goes to a special volunteer aged 18 and under who has made a substantial influence on the community through volunteering and has become a leading example for future generations.
In 2016, after watching his mum battle cancer, Bryce decided to help children with cancer by raising money to gift 6 Super Max Turtle night lights for children in treatment. 5 years later, at the age of 14, Bryce has gifted over 5,000 of these special turtle night lights, one for every child diagnosed with cancer in Australia and New Zealand, through his charity, Super Max & Bryce.
Find out more about Super Max & Bryce here
This award recognises one organisation whose sole purpose is to create impact and support the community.
Marine Rescue Southport has been supporting the Gold Coast community since 1969. The demand for services has increased in 2021 significantly, assisting people in trouble on the water with engine failure, fuel problems, grounding, sinking vessels, vessels on fire, or medical emergencies. By year-end, it’s expected to have assisted over 1000 vessels and over 4000 people. Staffed entirely by volunteers on a 24/7 roster, they have contributed over 75,000 unpaid hours to the Gold Coast community.
Find out more about VMR Southport here
The Gold Coast Community project award acknowledges volunteer-led projects which aim to benefit the community.
Robina Lions Club has been fundraising for over 3 years to put the first Big Red Kidney Bus on the road in Queensland. The Big Red Kidney Bus is a mobile dialysis bus that will travel around Queensland stopping at Caravan Parks for up to 6 weeks. Dialysis patients need their treatment 3-4 days a week 4-5 hours at a time. The Bus will have 3 dialysis chairs, a wheelchair lift, air-conditioning, televisions, i-Pads, renal nurses.
Find out more about the QLD Big Red Kidney Bus here
Organisations that understand the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and implement initiatives to contribute to employee well-being and the community.
A supportive and motivating community for girl bosses and big dreamers. They are there to help, support and make a positive impact on ALL women – in business or not! Founded by Asha Barber in December 2017, the community is a safe and supportive place for women in business or women who dream of being in business. Offering support and collaboration with thousands of other like-minded women. Most recently teaming up with bravery buddies raised $33,000 to assist a local woman with cancer.
Find out more about GCGIB here
Creating diverse and inclusive workplaces is one-way organisations have contributed to society, the impact of inclusion and also appreciate that having diverse staff, customers and stakeholders leads to a sustainable future.
This program was funded through Multicultural Affairs Queensland for 12 months. Offering weekly social calls in languages by volunteers. Over 100 volunteers in 50+ languages made weekly calls to people, shared stories and recipes, and provided valuable COVID updates and links in their own language. Many volunteers made themselves available to Gold Coast Hotel Quarantine assisting to communicate with their guests to meet their needs.
Find out more about I Speak Your Language here
