Sport and Recreation Volunteers recognised in Toowoomba Awards Ceremony: Spence
Published Friday, 06 March, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Sport Minister Judy Spence tonight hosted a Valuing Volunteers in Sport and Recreation Award Ceremony in Toowoomba at the All Seasons Functions Centre, recognising the outstanding contribution of sports volunteers.
Ms Spence said the award recipients represent more than 480 years service to the community.
The longest serving Toowoomba volunteer is Colin Douglas Vaughan, who has dedicated 39 years service to the Toowoomba Pistol Club.
"Volunteers are the backbone of the sport and recreation industry. Without them, our local sports grounds would be empty and our children would miss out on community sport,” Ms Spence said.
"Tonight’s ceremony acknowledges the role volunteers play in sporting clubs and organisations, within the Toowoomba area and across Queensland.
"Anyone is able to nominate volunteers in their local community who they feel should be recognised for their tireless contribution to sport and recreation.
"In Queensland we have the highest rate of volunteers in the country.
“More than 185,000 adults volunteer with Queensland sport and recreation organisations each year, providing around 28.4 million volunteer hours at our sporting fields, ovals, courts, pools, halls, beaches, rivers, bikeways and parks.
“By providing sport and recreation opportunities in clubs across Queensland, these volunteers play a vital role in assisting Queenslanders of all ages to lead healthy, active lifestyles.
"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 28 volunteers were presented with an award.
"Twenty-eight of our most outstanding volunteers, who epitomise what being a volunteer is all about, were recognised for their dedication to sport," Ms Spence said.
"These 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.
“Under our Toward Q2 vision, the Bligh Government has set a 2020 target of increasing volunteerism in Queensland by 50%.
“An important part of achieving this target is recognising and rewarding those local volunteers who have already committed their valuable time to serve their local communities.
“By providing recognition of our unsung heroes in sport and recreation, we hope to encourage more Queenslanders to get involved in volunteerism.”
Full list of award recipients attached.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office 3239 6203
Award recipients include:
Angus Rathie - Darling Downs Junior Rugby Union
Arnold Anderson - Southern Suburbs Junior Rugby League
Beverley Daly - Willowburn sports Club
Bill Reckenberg - Toowoomba Golf Club Ltd
Colin Bloomfield - Administration
Colin Douglas Vaughan - Toowoomba Pistol Club
Colin John Davis - West Toowoomba Bowls Club
Elwyn Glen Schefe - Northern Brothers Diggers Cricket Club Inc
Gayle Hohn - Eagles Basketball Club Toowoomba Baseball Assoc
Jodie Hall - Junior Sport
June Stahlhut - Toowoomba Netball Assoc Inc
Katrina Gierke - Toowoomba softball Assoc
Kent Elliott - Toowoomba BMX Club
Kent Wells - State & National Umpiring
Kevin Victor Jerome - Toowoomba Horse Riding For the Disabled
Michael Patrick Van Beal - Toowoomba Central Little Athletics Centre
Penny Howells - Highfield & District Junior Rugby League
Peter Andrews - Rangeville Hockey Club
Phillip Daly - Willowburn sports Club
Trevor Keal - Rangers Basketball Club
David White - Darling Downs Regional Swimming Assn
Gregory Bruce Gall - Harristown State High & Toowoomba Volleyball Assn
Judith Anne Locke - Flyers Swimming Club Inc
Michael Kings - South Toowoomba Junior Rugby Club
Roxanne Manhire - Northern Suburbs Hockey Club of Toowoomba Inc
Shelley Lorraine Strong - Toowoomba Rangers Junior Rugby Union Club
Steve Cullinan - Toowoomba Basketball Assoc
Wayne Kingsley Locke - Flyers Swimming Club
Ms Spence said the award recipients represent more than 480 years service to the community.
The longest serving Toowoomba volunteer is Colin Douglas Vaughan, who has dedicated 39 years service to the Toowoomba Pistol Club.
"Volunteers are the backbone of the sport and recreation industry. Without them, our local sports grounds would be empty and our children would miss out on community sport,” Ms Spence said.
"Tonight’s ceremony acknowledges the role volunteers play in sporting clubs and organisations, within the Toowoomba area and across Queensland.
"Anyone is able to nominate volunteers in their local community who they feel should be recognised for their tireless contribution to sport and recreation.
"In Queensland we have the highest rate of volunteers in the country.
“More than 185,000 adults volunteer with Queensland sport and recreation organisations each year, providing around 28.4 million volunteer hours at our sporting fields, ovals, courts, pools, halls, beaches, rivers, bikeways and parks.
“By providing sport and recreation opportunities in clubs across Queensland, these volunteers play a vital role in assisting Queenslanders of all ages to lead healthy, active lifestyles.
"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 28 volunteers were presented with an award.
"Twenty-eight of our most outstanding volunteers, who epitomise what being a volunteer is all about, were recognised for their dedication to sport," Ms Spence said.
"These 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.
“Under our Toward Q2 vision, the Bligh Government has set a 2020 target of increasing volunteerism in Queensland by 50%.
“An important part of achieving this target is recognising and rewarding those local volunteers who have already committed their valuable time to serve their local communities.
“By providing recognition of our unsung heroes in sport and recreation, we hope to encourage more Queenslanders to get involved in volunteerism.”
Full list of award recipients attached.
Media Contact: Minister’s Office 3239 6203
Award recipients include:
Angus Rathie - Darling Downs Junior Rugby Union
Arnold Anderson - Southern Suburbs Junior Rugby League
Beverley Daly - Willowburn sports Club
Bill Reckenberg - Toowoomba Golf Club Ltd
Colin Bloomfield - Administration
Colin Douglas Vaughan - Toowoomba Pistol Club
Colin John Davis - West Toowoomba Bowls Club
Elwyn Glen Schefe - Northern Brothers Diggers Cricket Club Inc
Gayle Hohn - Eagles Basketball Club Toowoomba Baseball Assoc
Jodie Hall - Junior Sport
June Stahlhut - Toowoomba Netball Assoc Inc
Katrina Gierke - Toowoomba softball Assoc
Kent Elliott - Toowoomba BMX Club
Kent Wells - State & National Umpiring
Kevin Victor Jerome - Toowoomba Horse Riding For the Disabled
Michael Patrick Van Beal - Toowoomba Central Little Athletics Centre
Penny Howells - Highfield & District Junior Rugby League
Peter Andrews - Rangeville Hockey Club
Phillip Daly - Willowburn sports Club
Trevor Keal - Rangers Basketball Club
David White - Darling Downs Regional Swimming Assn
Gregory Bruce Gall - Harristown State High & Toowoomba Volleyball Assn
Judith Anne Locke - Flyers Swimming Club Inc
Michael Kings - South Toowoomba Junior Rugby Club
Roxanne Manhire - Northern Suburbs Hockey Club of Toowoomba Inc
Shelley Lorraine Strong - Toowoomba Rangers Junior Rugby Union Club
Steve Cullinan - Toowoomba Basketball Assoc
Wayne Kingsley Locke - Flyers Swimming Club