2024 Finalists

Volunteer Award

Behind the Scenes

Adrian Paterson, Hospitals

St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital (SAWMH) has a long history of cardiac care and innovation. On average, Cardiac Ward 2F  will see 400 open-heart surgery patients per year.  

And each Wednesday for the past nine years, SAWMH Volunteer Adrian has been providing heart surgery patients a helping hand through patient 4 Patient Program (P4P) which offers support and companionship to patients undergoing cardiac surgery, from a volunteer with lived experience. 

Adrian joined the volunteer team after spending more than two months in hospital in 2014 after an operation to repair his leaking heart valves. 

As a P4P volunteer, Adrian supports, listens, offers advice and shares his experiences to provide peace of mind. Adrian offers comfort items including Healthy Heart Welcome Packs, toiletry packs, handmade blankets, and our recently introduced cardiac comfort pillows.  

Adrian received the 2023 Moderator Medal for his passion and dedication to volunteering and his inspiring story has also been featured in UnitingCare’s Donor Care Newsletter. 

 Brian Smith, Family and Disability Services

Brian Smith is a Court Support Volunteer: a role which involves supporting men within the court system who are victims or perpetrators of domestic family violence.

These men can be confused, feel misunderstood and they don’t fully understand why they are facing court, or the process involved. Brian greets them at court, explaining what will happen and answering questions (he does not provide legal advice).

It can be a challenging role so there is a police presence, and partners can be in attendance - which can be upsetting. Brian can talk to attendees in a private room, saying, “there’s real value in listening and being non-judgemental”.

When leaving court, the men are often stressed and upset, but grateful for Brian’s support.

Admitting that volunteering has enriched his life, Brian has also built great relationships with people working at the court, the security staff, JPs and other community workers.

Cheryl Byrne, Family and Disability Services

Earlier this year we celebrated Cheryl Byrne's 20 years of selfless, loyal service to Lifeline Retail at the Pacific Paradise store.  Knowledgeable, hardworking and a joy to work with, Cheryl is dedicated to her role as a volunteer, whatever the task. She’s always smiling and happy, even when dealing with dirt, grease, and cockroach poo, or standing at the sink all day washing dishes, toys, and other products so they’re clean and saleable. She irons clothes for hours, too, to ensure a high standard for customers, often taking soiled items home to wash them.

Cheryl has a friendly, positive attitude and never complains, always putting in her best effort - even while vacuuming and mopping at the end of day when she must be tired.

During her time with Lifeline Retail she has experienced a lot of change and has adapted and grown, while her passion for helping others has enabled her to thrive and shine.

Changing Lives, Theirs Included

Carole Lyall, Hospitals

For 37 years, Carole Lyall has been a welcoming face at St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital.

She has been involved in many volunteering roles with the hospital, but with a decline in health and mobility, her current role on the Help Desk is the perfect solution.

Driving 30kms from her home in rain, hail or shine, Carole is often the first person that patients and visitors speak to, greeting them warmly and directing or escorting them to where they need to go. She also offers administration support to various wards and units such as preparing wrist bands, compiling paperwork, laminating, and binding.

“Volunteering at St Andrew's is my life,” Carole said. “I love people, and it feels like my second home.”

Carole also generously makes and donates handmade items for our fundraising stalls and toiletries for our patient toiletry packs.

In 2011 Carole was presented with a Moderator's Community Service Medal, for her volunteering at efforts at the hospital, and her contribution as a volunteer for the Scouts.

Muriel Wroe, Hospitals

For the past 15 years, volunteer Muriel Wroe has been a humble but impactful force within the St Stephen’s Hospital community.

Each week, she picks up patients from their homes and transports them to their treatment appointments, providing a kind and comforting presence to people who are facing some of the most challenging times in their lives.

Muriel is also a passionate advocate for St Stephen's Hospital and plays a pivotal role in inspiring and encouraging others to volunteer. She is a steadfast pillar of our volunteer program, embodying reliability, compassion, and humility.

Her dedication is not just a testament to her personal character but also to her deep belief in the mission of our hospital.

The ever humble, Muriel has said: “Volunteering has given back to me, just as much as I have given.”

She truly embodies the essence of community service and makes our hospital a better place for all.

Sue Thompson, Family and Disability Services

Sue Thompson grew up in a family, in which, she says “we were brought up to give”. She began volunteering with UnitingCare in Townsville in 2016 and moved to North Queensland Rural Family Support Service (NQRFSS) from BlueCare in 2022.

While NQRFSS is administratively based in Townsville, its support area is huge. Sue regularly travels to Greenvale – around two and half hours from Townsville – or Julia Creek, approximately seven hours away. Support workers often need to stay overnight in accommodation, and Sue stays with them when requested.

Sue’s work is varied: In Townsville she prepares welcome packs and documents and assists clients in getting to their medical appointments. In the community with support workers, she assists where possible, including events they facilitate.

“I love volunteering. I am accepted as part of the communities we visit. I receive hugs and thanks for the little things I do,” Sue said.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to assist a vital service.”

2023 Finalists

Volunteer Award

Behind the Scenes

Cluny Seager, Hospitals

For the past 15 years, ex Army nurse, Cluny Seager, has volunteered at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital.

Cluny has a passion for military history, visiting veterans and serving members of the Defence Force, and letting these patients know how appreciated and valued their service is.

At the start of each weekly shift, Cluny identifies patients affiliated with the RSL or Department of Veterans and makes notes about previous connections she has made with the patient, before visiting them. Her friendly and familiar face instantly puts patients at ease, and patients consistently ask for Cluny to visit them again.

“Cluny makes the simple things count: a conversation, a question (are you ok?), a smile — all small gestures making a world of difference.”

Virtual Volunteers, Hospitals

Virtual Volunteering was introduced at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital in 2021, providing the oppportunity for volunteers to continue to give back through COVID-19. Since its inception, the team has grown to 12 volunteers, who form a vital part of St Andrew’s volunteer team.

The Virtual Volunteers devote their time, resources and energy, working from their own home, or together as craft group, to create patient resources: toys for peadiatric patients; support pillows in the shape of hearts for cardiac patients; knitted and crocheted blankets; toiletry bags for unexpected admissions; and fiddle mats and sleeves for patients with dementia.

The dedicated team also contribute handmade items for seasonal fundraising stalls, in aid of purchasing new hospital equipment − raising $15,000 in the past year.

The Virtual Volunteers are an incredibly valuable extension of St Andrew’s volunteer program, and the wider hospital community.

Cheryl Nott, Aged Care and Community Services

Cheryl Nott, a volunteer and a former nurse, began her volunteering journey with Blue Care in her early teens. With encouragement from Bert and Olive Crombie, the first Blue Nurse, Cheryl became involved in the Blue Nurse Doorknock appeal. From the age of 12, Cheryl, accompanied by an adult, began collecting money for the doorknock appeals - and would continue her involvement for many decades.

After joining the Friends of the Blue Nurses at Springwood and arranging various BlueCare fundraising activities, Cheryl joined the BlueCare Springwood team as Volunteer Administration Assistant. 26 years later, Cheryl is still in the role – supporting the team every Friday.

Cheryl said Volunteering contuinues to bring her so much joy. “It’s a vital part of my life - as is attending ballroom dancing meetups and being a volunteer of various historic car clubs. There’s never a dull moment!”

Changing Lives, Theirs Included

Grevillea Gardens Volunteers, Aged Care and Community Services

The Grevillea Gardens Volunteer Team are an amazing group who have continued to volunteer their time each week to the centre, including some who have served for more than 20 years. Their ongoing support and assistance has been invaluable to the staff and residents.

The volunteers say contributing and helping out is one of the best things in their lives, and something that they’re so happy to be a part of. They enjoy making meaningful and personal connections with the residents.

“Being a small country town, some volunteers know the families of new residents, which makes the move into the facility more comfortable everyone.”

They are changing lives and make the world of difference to Grevillea Gardens.

NU2U & The Bower Bird Op Shops, Aged Care and Community Services

The enduring support and dedication from NU2U and Bower Bird Op Shop volunteers have seen their sites grow from a simple drop-centre in 1988, to garage sales in 1999, expanding to weekly op shops across two sites at Alexandra Hills and Redland Bay.

More than 61 volunteers have given their time in setting up each week: sorting and pricing goods, greeting and welcoming customers, and thoughtfully designing the op shop space; in addition to planning fun fashion parades to support BlueCare residents.

“Through their hard work, creativity and diligence the team make a significant impact in the lives of those who benefit from the money raised, but also play a huge role in each other's lives with their fellowship and comradery.”

This outstanding team take the time to engage with the local community, and care for one another − always supporting, comforting and providing relief during hard times. It’s clear to see the positive benefits that their volunteering adds to each other's lives and to the lives of those they serve.

BlueCare Community Connections-Safe Alert, Aged Care and Community Services

The Safe Alert Team volunteers support a program which enables people to continue living independently, safely, in their own homes.

The volunteers are the ears and eyes on the ground and key to the smooth running of the program. With some clients having little contact with the outside world, the volunteers’ dedication has helped keep vulnerable people connected through regular phone calls, visits, and engaging conversation; in addition to troubleshooting alarm issues and replacing equipment where required.

Being a part of the program has supported volunteers to build structure in their life after retirement, improving their confidence and forming new friendships.

“The Safe Alert program has brought meaning and purpose to all our lives, with fun laughter and companionship, while increasing our self-esteem and wellbeing.”