Queensland Volunteering Awards 2023

Representing the Minister for Communities and Housing, the Digital Economy and the Arts, Member for Mansfield, Ms Corrine McMillan MP; Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner; Shadow Minister for Local Government, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, Ms Ann Leahy MP; Member for Mount Ommaney, Ms Jess Pugh MP; Director-General for the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, Ms Clare O’Connor PSM; Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Acting Deputy Commissioner, Ms Joanne Greenfield; Volunteering Queensland President, Mr Brett Johnson, Members of the Board and CEO Ms Mara Basanovic; distinguished guests; awardees and volunteers; ladies and gentlemen. 

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

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to the Queensland Volunteering Awards 2023 being held this morning. The immense value that is added to any community through the work of volunteers has been widely acknowledged for a long time now, but in short; what you do, matters. It really matters.

As Patron of Volunteering Queensland, it is my pleasure to support the work of this fine organisation and to be a champion for volunteers in Queensland, of which we have a great number. Over three million Queenslanders, either in a formal or informal capacity, give their time, effort and skills to better our society.

With a strong vision, and a mission “to advance volunteering for Queensland’s economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing”, Volunteering Queensland can rightly be proud of its position as the lead voice for volunteering in our state.

Thank you for your continued efforts in maximising volunteer contributions for the betterment of those in need.

And now to the very special people who have contributed so much to the landscape of volunteering in Queensland; today, we are here to honour you.

You are the people who do more than speak about principles for the continued prosperity of Queensland, you understand the value of action.

With the support and guidance of Volunteering Queensland, the volunteers in the room today, and the many thousands more not in attendance, have positively impacted the lives of individuals and community groups across the state, through action.

You purposefully and selflessly help to make Queensland a better place for all those who live here.

Thank you wholeheartedly for your generosity and your willingness to improve the circumstances of others, and for your ‘unparalleled assistance to people and causes’ across Queensland, we do indeed salute you.

Thank you.