Queensland Volunteering Awards 2024

Representing the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Dr Andrew Leigh MP; Director-General for the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, Ms Clare O’Connor PSM; Lady Mayoress, Mrs Nina Schrinner, and Volunteering Queensland President, Ms Linda Lavarch.

I would also like to acknowledge Volunteering Queensland’s outgoing CEO, Ms Mara Basanovic and wish her well for her retirement next month after a commendable eight-and-a-half years in the role and welcome incoming CEO Ms Jane Hedger; distinguished guests; awardees, your family and friends; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

As Governor, and Patron of Volunteering Queensland, I am honoured to welcome you to this year’s Queensland Volunteering Awards where we once again have the pleasure of celebrating our State’s wonderful volunteers and recognising their significant contributions.

All volunteers ‘shine bright’ and give so much of themselves for the betterment of others in our society. Whether as individuals, or in groups, our State’s volunteers work tirelessly to support and serve those in need in our communities.

Volunteers are selfless, they are determined, and they are extraordinarily valued. While the far-reaching impact of their collective efforts is hard to quantify, we do know our State is made so much better socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally because of their willingness to give of their time, efforts, skills to act when they see a need.

To each and every volunteer in Queensland – please know that what you do makes a real difference in so many lives, and we are enormously grateful for your empathy, generosity and goodwill.

At this point, I would also like to acknowledge Volunteering Queensland. As the State’s peak body for advancing and promoting volunteering, you are deserving of praise for the encouragement and support that you have offered to more than three million Queensland volunteers.

The state of volunteering in Queensland is healthy. Almost two-thirds of our population volunteer – either in a formal or informal capacity – and give on average over 21 hours per month to volunteering. They do this primarily to help others but, in the process, achieve a range of positive outcomes for society, and indeed, themselves, with volunteers highly rating their personal sense of enjoyment and social connections gained while sharing their skills and experience with others.

To all volunteers, in every far-flung corner of this vast State of ours, we own an enormous debt of gratitude.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, let me offer a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all that you do – your generosity of time and spirit is very much appreciated.

And to today’s awardees, a very hearty congratulations on your special recognition today. Enjoy the celebrations.