Inaugural Awards Ceremony to recognise Qld Sport and Recreation Volunteers: Spence
Published Wednesday, 14 May, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Sport Minister Judy Spence will tonight host the Inaugural Sport and Recreation Volunteers Award Ceremony at Parliament House, recognising the outstanding contribution of sports volunteers in Queensland.
Ms Spence said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the sport and recreation industry and it is fitting they receive recognition for their work during National Volunteer Week, in this the Year of the Volunteer.
“Tonight’s ceremony will become an annual event, acknowledging the role volunteers play in sporting clubs and organisations across the state.
“All Queenslanders and individual sporting clubs will be able to nominate volunteers in their local community who should be recognised for their tireless contribution to sport and recreation.
“In Queensland we have the highest rate of volunteers in the country.
“38% of our population participates in volunteer work – with the highest proportion (24%) working with sport and recreation organisations.
“A volunteer’s contribution to the community can not be understated, and often goes unrecognised.
“They are the coaches, board members, time keepers, officials and first aid officers. They work in our canteens on match days, run fundraisers for grass roots sport and devote hours of their own time to improve sport and recreation opportunities for all Queenslanders.
“Without these volunteers many small sport and recreation clubs and even major sporting bodies would be at a loss.”
Ms Spence said around 250 volunteers from around Queensland will attend tonight’s awards ceremony on the Speaker’s Green at Parliament House.
“Nine of our most outstanding volunteers, who epitomise what being a volunteer is all about, will be presented with medals acknowledging their dedication to sport in this state,” Ms Spence said.
“The medal recipients have gone above and beyond to support and develop the sports they love.
“Some have applied their knowledge in fields of personal expertise to ensure their sports have continued to grow, while others have committed years of their lives to raising funds for their organisations.
“These people are an inspiration to all of us – highlighting the great work being achieved behind the scenes.
“The Queensland Government recognises the essential role volunteers play in sport. In the last twelve months, we have provided almost $2 Million to around 500 grass roots sporting clubs, specifically for training and recognition of volunteers.
“We will continue to support those people who dedicate their time and energy in a volunteer capacity to sport and recreation in Queensland.
“Together we can continue to ensure Queensland remains a premier sporting destination, and one where people of all ages have access to quality sport and recreation opportunities.”
The award recipients are:
• Mr Ken Bird OAM – Surf Life Saving
(Ken has overseen the officials for surf life saving carnivals in Queensland for many years)
• Ms Madonna McKenna – Netball
(Madonna has been in charge of all scorers and timers for 18 rounds of the Cadbury Schweppes Challenge and 14 rounds of the State league. She also undertook the scorer/timer duties for the Australia v NZ test Match – the biggest netball event in QLD in 2006)
• Ms Julie McNeil – Hockey
(Julie delivered the first modified interschool hockey competition in Cooktown, commencing in 2002)
• Mr Peter Stathis – Cricket
(Better known as ‘Batman’ for his early volunteer work raffling cricket bats to raise money for junior cricket in Queensland, Peter has raised over $1 Million for Queensland Cricket and other charity organisations, through collections at the Gabba and other major sporting functions over the past 16 years.)
• Mr Jeremy Dunn – Canoeing
(Jeremy volunteers in all facets of the sport. He developed the initial Risk Management framework for canoeing which has changed the way in which the sport is administered and delivered.)
• Ms Audrey McLaughlin – Softball
(Audrey held the position of Chair of Queensland Softball for 29 years, from the commencement of the 1957/58 season, until her retirement from Queensland at the end of the 1985/86 season. Her contribution did not end there as Audrey became involved with softball at the Australian level in many capacities including Vice-President. She continues to volunteer in the sport today.)
• Ms Cheryl Vince – BMX
(Cheryl regularly volunteers her services as driver and caterer for Junior Development and State Team camps conducted within QLD and interstate)
• Ms Gillian Duncan – Mountain Biking
(Gillian worked tirelessly, and almost single-handedly, to gain more equitable mountain bike access to Brisbane City Council public land, providing mountain bikers with greater opportunities to pursue their sport in a safe environment.)
• Mr Brian Kross – Outdoor Recreation
(Brian has worked with the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation to devise a mechanism for registering Adventist Outdoor Leaders, which has not previously been available.)
Media contact: 3239 6172
May 14, 2008
Ms Spence said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the sport and recreation industry and it is fitting they receive recognition for their work during National Volunteer Week, in this the Year of the Volunteer.
“Tonight’s ceremony will become an annual event, acknowledging the role volunteers play in sporting clubs and organisations across the state.
“All Queenslanders and individual sporting clubs will be able to nominate volunteers in their local community who should be recognised for their tireless contribution to sport and recreation.
“In Queensland we have the highest rate of volunteers in the country.
“38% of our population participates in volunteer work – with the highest proportion (24%) working with sport and recreation organisations.
“A volunteer’s contribution to the community can not be understated, and often goes unrecognised.
“They are the coaches, board members, time keepers, officials and first aid officers. They work in our canteens on match days, run fundraisers for grass roots sport and devote hours of their own time to improve sport and recreation opportunities for all Queenslanders.
“Without these volunteers many small sport and recreation clubs and even major sporting bodies would be at a loss.”
Ms Spence said around 250 volunteers from around Queensland will attend tonight’s awards ceremony on the Speaker’s Green at Parliament House.
“Nine of our most outstanding volunteers, who epitomise what being a volunteer is all about, will be presented with medals acknowledging their dedication to sport in this state,” Ms Spence said.
“The medal recipients have gone above and beyond to support and develop the sports they love.
“Some have applied their knowledge in fields of personal expertise to ensure their sports have continued to grow, while others have committed years of their lives to raising funds for their organisations.
“These people are an inspiration to all of us – highlighting the great work being achieved behind the scenes.
“The Queensland Government recognises the essential role volunteers play in sport. In the last twelve months, we have provided almost $2 Million to around 500 grass roots sporting clubs, specifically for training and recognition of volunteers.
“We will continue to support those people who dedicate their time and energy in a volunteer capacity to sport and recreation in Queensland.
“Together we can continue to ensure Queensland remains a premier sporting destination, and one where people of all ages have access to quality sport and recreation opportunities.”
The award recipients are:
• Mr Ken Bird OAM – Surf Life Saving
(Ken has overseen the officials for surf life saving carnivals in Queensland for many years)
• Ms Madonna McKenna – Netball
(Madonna has been in charge of all scorers and timers for 18 rounds of the Cadbury Schweppes Challenge and 14 rounds of the State league. She also undertook the scorer/timer duties for the Australia v NZ test Match – the biggest netball event in QLD in 2006)
• Ms Julie McNeil – Hockey
(Julie delivered the first modified interschool hockey competition in Cooktown, commencing in 2002)
• Mr Peter Stathis – Cricket
(Better known as ‘Batman’ for his early volunteer work raffling cricket bats to raise money for junior cricket in Queensland, Peter has raised over $1 Million for Queensland Cricket and other charity organisations, through collections at the Gabba and other major sporting functions over the past 16 years.)
• Mr Jeremy Dunn – Canoeing
(Jeremy volunteers in all facets of the sport. He developed the initial Risk Management framework for canoeing which has changed the way in which the sport is administered and delivered.)
• Ms Audrey McLaughlin – Softball
(Audrey held the position of Chair of Queensland Softball for 29 years, from the commencement of the 1957/58 season, until her retirement from Queensland at the end of the 1985/86 season. Her contribution did not end there as Audrey became involved with softball at the Australian level in many capacities including Vice-President. She continues to volunteer in the sport today.)
• Ms Cheryl Vince – BMX
(Cheryl regularly volunteers her services as driver and caterer for Junior Development and State Team camps conducted within QLD and interstate)
• Ms Gillian Duncan – Mountain Biking
(Gillian worked tirelessly, and almost single-handedly, to gain more equitable mountain bike access to Brisbane City Council public land, providing mountain bikers with greater opportunities to pursue their sport in a safe environment.)
• Mr Brian Kross – Outdoor Recreation
(Brian has worked with the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation to devise a mechanism for registering Adventist Outdoor Leaders, which has not previously been available.)
Media contact: 3239 6172
May 14, 2008