Member for Glass House Andrew Powell recently thanked volunteers of the Glass House electorate with a special morning tea awards ceremony in Maleny.

“COVID stopped me from doing these for a while, but I used to hold an annual volunteer awards morning tea,” said Mr Powell. “It felt right to bring it back now and these awards are a special highlight in my calendar.”

A total of 25 nominations were received, including a quirky but heartfelt nomination for Wayne Parcell of the Montville Tennis Club and Rangebow Festival.

“I know Wayne personally and he’s an all-around terrific bloke, so I was stoked to see a nomination come through for him.”

• Wayne’s nomination read as follows: “I would like to nominate Wayne Parcell for the Volunteer award. It would be really great for him to be acknowledged for almost single handedly rescuing the Montville tennis club, being the MVA VP and of course, being the coolest, most hardest working and economically contributing legend of all when it comes to being Festival Director of The Rangebow Festival.”

Another standout volunteer was June Robson from the Zonta Club of Blackall Range.

• June’s nomination read as follows:

“June is a member of the Zonta Club of Blackall Range and is head of the Service Committee. June organises our yearly directory which advertises businesses on the northern end of the range. 

She also organises the annual packing of birthing kits, the packs we put together for womens’ refuges, helps out on our garden stalls, and with food for our annual Dusk on the Deck celebration of International Women’s Day and the Woman of Achievement Award.” 

The celebratory morning tea was held at the Maleny Community Centre and catered for by the lovely ladies of the Maleny Hospital Auxiliary, who provided a delicious cake, sandwiches, finger foods, tea and coffee.

“Someone told me they might come back again next year just for the food!” Mr Powell joked.

“It also feels important to note that the women from the Hospital Auxiliary team are volunteers as well, as all proceeds raised go towards the Hospital.

“I shared a quote at the morning tea that I believe touches on the essence of what it means to be a volunteer which I’d like to share here too.

“Elizabeth Andrew once said that volunteers do not necessarily have the time – they have the heart,” said Mr Powell. 

“They truly push their 24 hours of the day beyond what many of us feel able to and they do it all with love and a smile on their faces. Thank you.”