Volunteering ACT

FRANK MILLBURN

Nominated by Clown Rounds

Frank, has survived two heart attacks, and this experience, together with his voluntary work in that field, has fostered a number of initiatives which are now standard practice. These include:

• Counseling in the Cardiac unit
• Hospital Guiding
• Probus Hospital Visiting Scheme
• Hospital Humour Project - In this project Frank and his fellow clown doctors do their rounds of Canberra Hospital providing large doses of laughter to patients, families, friends and staff.

Apart from his extensive efforts in the field of health, Frank also found time to become involved in roles such as Treasurer of the Australian National Institute of Foreign Affairs, mentor in ACT Small Business Programs, volunteer Crowd Controller at the Canberra Olympic Soccer matches, to mention but a few.

Frank Millburn is a true example of what the Australian people are renowned for. His dedication and commitment over such a range of interests makes him particularly worthy of being named the NRMA ACT Volunteer of the Year 2003.

Category Awardees

Recipient

(click on photos to enlarge)

Citation

Jean Carnall and Ed Carnall (OAM)

Recipients of the Sport Award

Nominated by the Canberra Riding Club Pony Club

Over 40 years service to ACT sports and recreation community in the areas of Speedway, football, tennis, ten pin bowling, pony club, the Royal Canberra Show. Employees Club

Committee members and hands-on fundraising and community work with the CRC Pony Club since 1962.

Ed has held many Steward and Councillor positions with the Royal Canberra Show since1964. Whilst Jean has assisted with annual Show preparations and records maintenance since 1970.

Jenny Wanless

Recipient of the Science & Technology Award

Nominated by Questacon

Jenny Wanless has been volunteering her time and talent with Questacon for 22 years and has clocked-up 10,000 hours of volunteering work in that time

Jenny’s role is to ensure that the Questacon visitor has a positive experience by:

• Making science relevant to everyday life
• Helping visitors leave with a hunger and curiosity to learn more and.
• Ensuring that all exhibits are operating effectively

She works co-operatively with all paid and volunteer staff ensuring the smooth running of the centre.

James Bodsworth

Joint recipient of the Emergency Services Award

Nominated by Marlen Muench

Following five years spent as an operational member of the St John Ambulance Service, James joined the ACT Emergency Services in 1989. In 1998 he joined the Guises Creek Bushfire & Emergency Services Brigade and has held the position of Commander for several years.

He has been involved in known disasters such as Thredbo and the search for missing snowboarders. James has also participated in task forces concerned with the hail and storm damage caused in Sydney, the 1990 bushfire crisis in NSW, and the recent Canberra bushfires.

James has spent a great deal of time and effort in raising funds including $10,000 for his members, and has recently sought and received sponsorship of a new 4wd vehicle.

Doreen McEncroe

Joint recipient of the Emergency Services Award

Nominated by Volunteer Brigades Association

President of the Headquarters Brigade, Doreen leads the executive team that directs the focus and training of all members of the Brigade.

Doreen has been a member of the ACT Emergency Service for 14 years as a volunteer and for three weeks, during the January 2003 bushfire crisis, she worked 12 hour shifts in support of the Logistics Sector of the Emergency Services Bureau.

In addition to her routine duties, during the bushfire crisis, Doreen was responsible for organising the enormous catering requirements, as well as coordinating the response to homes damaged by the storm in Duffy and Kambah.

Frank Millburn

Recipient of the Health Award

Nominated by Clown Rounds

Counselor at the Canberra Cardiac Unit

As a member of Hospital Waste Management Committee. Frank’s task was to reduce the amount of infectious waste that needed incineration through the education of the nursing.

Probus Hospital visiting scheme, which involved coordinating Rotary Club members to provide companionship for retirees receiving treatment in Canberra hospitals, particularly those from country areas.

Hospital Humour Project, inspirational in establishing Clown Rounds, a group who believe that laughter is the best medicine.

Angus Gibbons

Recipient of the Education Award

Nominated by Oxfam Community Aid Abroad

Angus Gibbons has worked with the following groups

• Meals on Wheels – 12 years
• ACT Library Services Home Delivery – 12 years
• Explainer on Anzac Parade Memorial Walk – 8 years
• Australian War Memorial Guide – 9 months

Angus has been with the Oxfam, originally known as Freedom from Hunger, since 1991.

Rosemary Blemings

Recipient of the Environment Award

Nominated by Friends of Grasslands

Rosemary has been involved in environmental activities for 10 years, continuously contributing approximately 24 hours per week, prior to her retirement and now about 30 hours.

Rosemary contributes her time and efforts to the following organisations:

• Friends of Grasslands
• Australian Nature Plants Society
• Canberra Field Naturalists
• Black Mountain Wild Flower Walk Sheet
• Australian National Botanic Garden plant sale
• Canberra Ornithologist Bird Survey Atlas
  

John MacDiarmid

Recipient of the Arts & Heritage Award

Nominated by the Australian War Memorial

John’s professional and dedicated approach to his duties as a Volunteer Guide at the Australian War Memorial for 6 years. He has been an inspiration to his peers and has enhanced the reputation of the Memorial among both Australian and international visitors.

John’s other activities include:

• Queanbeyan Legacy Club – 50 years
• Queanbeyan/Burra Bushfire Brigade – 42 years
• Yarralumla Shire Council – 20 years
• Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal – 5 years
  

Catherine Passant

Recipient of the Community Award

Nominated by the National Brain Injury Foundation

Catherine Passant has been involved in community activities for 24 years, initially with the YMCA, with Goodwin Homes and more latterly with the National Brain Injury Foundation Inc.

She is an inspiration to the rest of the volunteer team that she works with and treats everybody as an individual.

Catherine will celebrate her 85th birthday this year which makes her work in this stressful field all the more remarkable.

Shirley Hughston

Special Commendation – Awarded posthumously

Nominated by Rough Diamonds

Lifetime devoted to providing companionship, caring, respite, support and safe haven for people in times of need by:

• Visiting the sick and infirm and assisting them with household tasks.
• Driving people to and from doctors visits.
• Assisting children with disabilities as a carer on outings

She formed a community social group for lonely, elderly people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and residents at the Condamine Court Flats, during her residence there. She created a garden for the residents.

As a volunteer for Rough Diamonds, would regularly helping to prepare and serve food for 40-50 people, as well as providing a warm welcome and companionship to participants.

Margo Hodge

Special Commendation – Education Sector

Nominated by Home Tutor Scheme.

For 12 years Margo Hodge has coordinated the University Partners English Club. The Club offers assistance and friendship to family members of overseas students studying at University in Canberra.

Margo assists students and family members from ten European and Asian countries through arranging English language classes, social activities, providing child care and dinners held at Margo’s own home once a term.