26 May 2019
WPSQ Volunteer Morning Tea 2019. From left to right: John, Rennie, Maryann, Matt, Doreen, Helen, Peter, Jenny, Steve.
National Volunteer Week #NVW2019 is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of all the volunteers in Australia. From 20-26 May 2019, thousands of events, including breakfasts, morning/afternoon teas, luncheons, award ceremonies, forums and training sessions, were held across the country to say thank you to the millions of Australians who volunteer their time.
This year’s theme, Making a World of Difference, signifies the extraordinary impact volunteers have in their community.
Wildlife Queensland Volunteer Morning Tea 2019
WPSQ Volunteer Morning Tea 2019. From left to right: Rennie, Maryann, Matt, Doreen, Helen.
Wildlife Queensland hosted a morning tea during #NVW2019 to thank our amazing volunteers, in just a small way, for how they ‘Make a World of Difference’ to Wildlife Queensland.
Wildlife Queensland ‒ and Queensland’s wildlife ‒ benefit each and every day from the incredible support of our volunteers.
From baking, administration, customer support and events to surveys, spotlighting and project support, our volunteers work tirelessly and bring a sense of fun, community and a love of wildlife to everything they do.
Thank you so much!
Spotlight on our volunteers in action
We shine a light on three of Wildlife Queensland’s amazing volunteers.
Helen at the Bird Hide project opening.
Helen Thomas
Wildlife Queensland volunteer for 30 years
Q. What made you choose to volunteer with Wildlife Queensland?
Helen: I met some members of the Caboolture Branch at a display, asked about the organisation, heard their story and decided that I would like to help in the preservation of our local habitat.
Q. What’s your favourite thing about this organisation?
Helen: The fact that Wildlife Queensland is a Statewide organisation, and has local branches keeping an eye on issues in the various regions.
Q. What’s one of your most memorable moments volunteering with Wildlife Queensland?
Helen: One of the memorable days for the Moreton Bay Branch, newly named to reflect the name of the recently amalgamated local Council region, was the Family Day held at the Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre. This highly successful day attracted a large crowd from 9.00am until 2.00pm and featured displays, speakers, guided walks around the rainforest, children’s entertainers and activities, food and the reopening of the recently restored frog pond and surrounding habitat. The restoration project was the winning entrant in the 2013 ‘Your Voice for Wildlife’ awards.
Maureen at the 2018 Eco Expo.
Maureen Tottenham
Wildlife Queensland volunteer for 18 years
Q. What made you choose to volunteer with Wildlife Queensland?
Maureen: It was a community group about education and conservation of the environment.
Q. What’s your favourite thing about this organisation?
Maureen: The friendships I have made throughout the years and the adventures we have been on.
Q. What’s one of your most memorable moments volunteering with Wildlife Queensland?
Maureen: When doing MangroveWatch I would always end up with mud from head to toe.
Pene installing greater glider nest boxes.
Penelope Webster
Wildlife Queensland volunteer for 2 years
Q. What made you choose to volunteer with Wildlife Queensland?
Pene: I have always had a passion for wildlife management and conservation. I wanted to have the opportunity to gain some hands-on experience with different fieldwork techniques and expand my knowledge of different species.
Q. What’s your favourite thing about this organisation?
Pene: The organisation has always been very welcoming and accommodating to its volunteers and I have gained a number of great friendships along the way.
Q. What’s one of your most memorable moments volunteering with Wildlife Queensland?
Pene: The most memorable moment I have had volunteering at Wildlife Qld was when our first greater glider was found using a nest box. After 12 long months of waiting, it was very rewarding to finally see our efforts were successful. I hope that I gain many more memories like this through the organisation.
Editor’s note: Pene established the Wildlife Qld Student Hub in 2019. The hub is a network of students and recent graduates who share a passion for wildlife and the environment. Find out more about the Wildlife Qld Student Hub and JOIN NOW.
Volunteering opportunities with Wildlife Queensland
If you’d like to hear about volunteering opportunities with Wildlife Queensland, please follow us on Facebook or subscribe to our free monthly my.wildlife e-bulletin. You can also contact us.