Palmwoods cricket president named volunteer of year

Mel Shelley, left, accepts her award.

Palmwoods Cricket Club President Mel Shelley’s outstanding contributions to local cricket have earned her the 2024 Queensland Cricket “Sunshine Coast Volunteer of the Year” award. 

Since June 2019, Mel has navigated the club through significant milestones including the construction of a new clubhouse and the management of shared facility use. Despite facing challenges such as major floods, Mel’s composed and consultative leadership style ensured the club’s resilience and continued growth.

Mel also played a pivotal role in the establishment and expansion of the women’s cricket competition on the coast. Under her guidance, the competition has flourished from four teams to two divisions comprising six teams each. 

Supported by her husband Dan, Mel actively contributes to the club’s operational tasks, including fundraising, facility preparation, and promotion. 

As a player, Mel exemplifies her passion for the sport, often taking on the role of captain and participating in prestigious competitions such as the North vs South Competition and the Queensland Vets women’s team, which clinched the National title. As the only female President on the Coast, Mel encouraged other women to  take leadership roles within the cricket community.

Her leadership will undoubtedly continue to shape cricket in Queensland for years to come.