Volunteer of the Year 2022
Volunteering Sunshine Coast and Bloomhill Cancer Care annouce Leigh McCready Volunteer of the Year recepient for 2022.
The Volunteer of the Year Awards Dinner held last Wednesday in Buderim announced 10 category recipients’ with incredible and inspiring nomination stories. The 100 plus audience had an emotional response to the unwavering commitment that recipients have to their cause and volunteerism.
Volunteering Sunshine Coast received a huge range of nominations which demonstrated the breath, depth, and diversity of volunteers across the Sunshine Coast. With the support of Steps Group Australia the 10 Category Recipients spoke highly of the value of volunteering and the countless hours they contribute – often blending into the very nature of what they do.
Steps Group Australia - Category Award Recipients
Business – Jennifer Clarke: RSL Maleny
Community Care, Services & Health – Cindy Scarlett – Sonshine Sanctuary
Disability Services – Vicki Craggs – Steps Australia
Education & Training – John Fitzpatrick – Sunshine Coast Council
Emergency Response Services – Leigh McCready – Peregian Family & Friends Inc.
Environmental, Animal Care & Conservation – Leisa Baldwin – Sunshine Coast Council
Human Rights & Migrant Services – Festuri Inc.
Seniors & Aged Care – Muriel Peters – Sundale
Sport & Recreation – Gina Fink Mooloolaba Surf Lifesaving Club
Youth – Sophie Greenhalgh – Kawana Waters Care Community.
The evening further ‘burst’ into life with guest speaker, respected author, and coach Carren Smith – 2002 Bali Bomb Survivor. She spoke of the challenges she faced before, during and after that infamous night in the Sari Club and the life changing outcomes for her. She spoke with passion, poise, and delivered a heartfelt and memorable message – exploding balloons and all.
Bloomhill Cancer Care CEO Mr Christopher John announced the Volunteer of the Year for 2022 as Leigh McCready from Peregian
In presenting Mrs McCready’s nomination Volunteering Sunshine Coast Executive director and MC Mr Chris Scott spoke highly of Leigh’s abilities to harness community support and drive coordinated outcomes to re-establish the Peregian Beach Surf Lifesaving Club after its demise in 2014. As a consequence of Leigh’s efforts the Peregian Surf Lifesaving Club has now been reconstituted, held their first Annual General Meeting in April of this year, and is expecting a renewed lease for the Surf Club building.
In nominating Leigh, the Peregian Family & Friends Inc. spoke of the intense challenges she faced in re-starting the surf club, the significant commitment she made as a busy mother and business women, and the intense voluntary workload she dealt with over the three and half years that she drove the outcomes achieved. She has also led the Peregian Nipper’s Program from 2018 to 2020 and served as a Director of the Noosa Heads SLSC in 2020/2021, and is current President of the Peregian Family & Friends Inc., the organisation she founded in 2017.
In presenting the award Bloomhill CEO Mr Christopher John stated, that Leigh epitomised the Volunteer of the Year Award as a person recognized for their exemplary voluntary contribution that made a significant impact on the Sunshine Coast’s well-being and liveability.
In accepting the award Leigh spoke of her journey and the joy she got from the support of the community and friends in re-building such an icon of the Peregian and Sunshine Coast communities. She also thanked all volunteers for their ongoing commitment to their respective organizations and communities for the differences they make every day.
Contact: Chris Scott Executive Director Volunteering Sunshine Coast
Email: chris@volunteeringsc.org.au
Phone: 0419 348 330
Awards Dinner and Presentation
Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Leigh McCready and her family
Award Category Finalists
| Award Category | Finalist | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer of the Year Award | LEIGH McCREADY | Bloomhill Cancer Care |
| Business Volunteer (Charity or Not-For-Profit organization administrators) | JENNIFER CLARKE | New Director Training |
| Community Care, Services & Health Volunteer | CINDY SCARLETT | Suncare |
| Disability Services Volunteer | VICKI CRAGGS | STEPS |
| Education & Training Services Volunteer | JOHN FITZPATRICK | Evolving Women |
| Emergency Response Services Volunteer | LEIGH McCREADY | Old Ambulance |
| Environmental, Animal Care & Conservation Services Volunteer | LEISA BALDWIN | Accuteque Global |
| Human Rights & Migrant Services Volunteer | FESTURI Inc | Mindshifts |
| Seniors & Aged Care Services Volunteer | MURIEL PETERS | RangeCare |
| Sport & Recreation Services Volunteer | GINA FINK | Australian Cycling |
| Youth Volunteer (Nominee to be under 25 yrs old at the time of application) | SOPHIE GREENHALGH | Sunshine FM |
Sponsors
Volunteer of the Year Awards
Event Sponsor
Award Category Sponsors
