BLIGH AWARDS TOP HONOURS TO OUTSTANDING QLD SENIORS

Premier Anna Bligh has paid tribute to 15 Queensland seniors who have collectively given over 500 years of volunteer service to communities around the State.

The volunteers were recognised today at the annual Premier’s Awards for Queensland Seniors at Parliament House in Brisbane.

“With each of these outstanding Queenslanders averaging about 35 years as a volunteer, today’s award winners are a truly remarkable group,” Ms Bligh said.

“They have supported a wide range of charities, community organisations and worthy causes, and their selfless work has made a difference to so many lives over the years.

“Today’s awards are about recognising that work and thanking them for the many years of service they have given to Queensland communities,” she said.

Ms Bligh said volunteers made a huge social and economic contribution to the State and the fabric of Queensland life across all sectors, including sport, education and health care.

“The number of Queenslanders volunteering has been rising steadily over time, from 26 percent of the population in 1994 to 38 percent in 2006.

“One of our Towards Q2 targets aims to increase that to 50 percent by 2020 and today’s award winners are great inspiration for us all,” she said.

Communities and Seniors Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr applauded this year’s award winners and called for more Queenslanders to follow their lead.

“From an important social perspective, volunteering provides wonderful opportunities for people to make new friends and share skills – providing the kind of social interaction which helps communities thrive,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“But the economic value of volunteering is also significant - estimated at $13.4 billion annually and equating to some 299,000 jobs.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said this year’s award recipients represented a fraction of the number of older people who were making contributions to their communities and neighbourhoods.

“There can never be too many volunteers and the ageing population means as our population gets older, there will be an even greater need and demand for volunteers.

“As our Seniors Award winners demonstrate, volunteers can do almost anything. Some people plant trees, umpire local sport, help organise an event, provide legal and IT advice or do work for an organisation online which goes to show anyone can get involved and make a difference.

“If you have a hobby or special skill, I encourage you to follow in the footsteps of these seniors and share this skill and passion with someone else.”

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280

Recipients of 2008 Premier's Awards for Queensland Seniors:

Colin Alchin (Palm Beach)

Colin, 74, is a familiar face at Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club having held many voluntary positions with the club since joining in 1971. As deputy president, gear steward, fundraiser, social organiser and clubhouse director he has helped the club grow and provide a healthy program of outdoor activities for its younger members. But it is local junior lifesavers that have benefitted most from Colin’s volunteering through coaching and refereeing at junior carnivals. Always keen to support the young participants, Colin hasn’t missed one carnival during his 37 year association with the club.

Margaret Baison (Townsville)

Maggie, 68, has helped foster cultural understanding through her many years of volunteering in the Townsville area. Originally from Papua–New Guinea, Maggie established the Townsville Papua Nuigini Logohou Association to provide support for Papua–New Guinea visitors and immigrants and 28 years on the association is still going strong. She was instrumental in forging Townsville’s sister-city relationship with Port Moresby in 1983, and in putting cultural events on the community’s calendar. She also supports the Townsville Migrant Resource Centre, International Women’s Group, and Palm Island residents travelling to Townsville for hospital treatment.

Nellie Boyle (Kedron)

Nellie, 92, started volunteering when she offered to sew duffle bags and other supplies for the Australian Defence Services. From convening fetes, street stalls and tuckshops to providing respite care for children with a disability, Nellie has now done it all, helping the Girl Guides, the Queensland Country Women’s Association, the Australian Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and the Windsor Croquet Club. Her dedicated service has earned her long-time service awards from many of these organisations.

Avril Butters (Alderley)

Avril, 70, has spent more than 50 years volunteering for deaf sports, arts and the hearing impaired community. She began working with the Deaf General Committee, now known as Deaf Sports Recreation Queensland, as teenager and later became involved with the Queensland Deaf Society. She has been involved in a variety of deaf sports as a player and an administrator and also founded the Deaf Craft and Art Club. But it’s through her work on the monthly newsletter Deaf News, where she manages a 20-strong volunteer team, that Avril has had the greatest influence in the deaf sport and art communities.

Noel Chester-Master (Moorooka)

Noel, 81, has been keeping the finances in order at the Moorooka Bowls Club for the past 34 years. Noel has served the club in a variety of roles, including treasurer, junior president, senior president and club president. While club president, he had the honour of greeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth when she visited the club, which was hosting the Commonwealth Games lawn bowls competition.

John Dolgner (Aramac)

John, 81, has spent his adult life volunteering and working for his local community as a councillor, president of the Aramac Race Club and active member of the Aramac Senior Citizens Association and Home and Community Care service. by delivering meals to the elderly and helping care for their yards. But, it’s his role as a volunteer emergency ambulance driver that John is most well-known for.

Ian Houston (Sherwood)

Ian, 78, makes a difference in the lives of children by donating his handmade toys to the Noah’s Ark Toy Library, Spina Bifida–Hydrocephalus Queensland, Narbethong Special School and Technical Aid to the Disabled Queensland. He also finds time to transport patients to and from the Mater and Wesley Hospitals, volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Science Centre and place volunteers through Volunteering Queensland.

Eileen Johns (Beaudesert)

Eileen, 74, has volunteered for a number of organisations over more than 30 years – all while raising seven children with her husband of 45 years and offering a helping hand to raise her 11 grandchildren. Eileen volunteers at St Vincent de Paul Society, sorting an average of one tonne of donated clothing each week and providing much-valued service to the charity shop’s clients and customers. She has also assisted the Country Women’s League for more than 30 years, and volunteers at her local church and Catholic primary school.

Phyl Moran (Gympie)

Back in 1981, Phyl’s good friend Phyllis Little asked her to help get a free local home-based palliative care service up and running in Gympie. Phyl, now 81, has had the satisfaction of seeing this good idea grow into Little Haven Palliative Care, a valuable community organisation, thanks to her volunteering. The organisation cares for more than 120 patients a year and provides a bereavement service to more than 150 families. Phyl is well-known in Gympie for her fundraising, which helped the organisation become the success it is today.

Flora Barbara Morton (Longreach)

Barb, 80, is a well-known volunteer in her hometown of Longreach. Her volunteering efforts includes more than 40 years’ support of the Good Friday Legacy Appeal, 20 years’ of service to St Andrews Anglicare Church, 27 years at Meals on Wheels and lifetime membership with the Longreach Show Society. Without her dedication to local organisations and services, like the Longreach Ambulance committee, many community activities simply wouldn’t exist.

Patricia Riches (Redland Bay)

Patricia, 80, has spent the past 25 years improving services for local families and seniors through her volunteer work with the Wynnum Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels and the Wynnum and Manly Districts Seniors Citizens’ Committee. Notably, in 1983 Patricia and others saw a need for a new hospital in Wynnum and lobbied politicians until one was built. In her work with Wynnum Hospital Auxiliary she led many fundraising projects to provide the hospital with equipment and would also visit patients to offer support and a hand to complete daily tasks.

Vera Roberts (Ayr)

Vera, 76, has spent many years volunteering with Ayr Lions Club and the Lower Burdekin Lions Club, Meals on Wheels and the local Seniors Support Group and has also revitalised the Driver Reviver centre, north of Brandon. Her achievements include collecting more than 700 pairs of used glasses and 250 hearing aids for recycling and sending on to Third World countries. Amazingly, she also finds time to crochet jackets, booties and bonnets for premature babies to donate to local hospitals.

Shirley Shannon (Rockhampton)

Shirley, 77, has spent 30 years volunteering, sharing her time between the Cancer Council, Saint Luke’s Anglican Church and Gentle Arts Society. Helping deliver the Look Good Feel Better program and presenting SunSmart messages to local schools are just some of Shirley’s priorities at the Cancer Council. Shirley also seems to have the golden touch when it comes to fundraising, securing approximately $230,000 for her chosen organisations each year.

Maria (Maroula) Tanos (Stafford Heights)

Maria, 70, has spent many years preparing and serving morning teas, meals and sweets for fundraising events as well as for those in need through her work with Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society of St George, Paniyiri Greek festival and the Greek Welfare Trust of the Community of St George. Remarkably, she has also found time to volunteer with the Cypriot Community of Queensland, the Hellenic RSL Women’s Committee, St Nicholas Hostel for the Aged, and at World Expo ’88.

Leonard Yow (Acacia Ridge)

Len, 75, has made an outstanding contribution to his community, while honouring his family heritage through his work as honorary treasurer and tour guide for the Chinese Taoist Temple at Breakfast Creek. He also co-founded the Chinese Club of Queensland and 50 years later is still serving the club as an honorary member. In his spare time, Len coordinates fundraising activities and senior ten-pin bowling at Greenslopes Lanes.