Robina Community Centre was abuzz on Tuesday as Councillor Jan Grew honoured the local heroes of Division 11 at the community awards.
Cr Grew proudly presented awards to reward the tireless efforts of Robina, Varsity Lakes and Burleigh residents that consistently give their time to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our community.
The following community members were nominated for their outstanding contribution to our division.
Mr David Gneill from Neighbourhood Watch Broadbeach 24:
David’s commitment as secretary of Neighbourhood Watch Broadbeach 24 is among many of his community activities. He is appreciated and valued by all in Neighbourhood Watch and the Robina community has been well rewarded by his efforts over several years.
Mrs Alison Gneill from Neighbourhood Watch Broadbeach 24:
Allison, like her husband David, is involved in volunteering within the community, in addition to her valuable contribution to Neighbourhood Watch.
Mr Derek Samuel from Crossroads Gold Coast:
Derek has given 18 years of selfless and faithful voluntary service to people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Offering friendship and support to young and old alike, Derek is an outstanding team player and one of Crossroads most dependable volunteers.
Ms Gail Dillon from Red Cross Robina:
Gail has been a member of the Robina Branch of the Australian Red Cross since its foundation in November 1993. During her 20 years of dedicated service, she has served in various roles within the Robina branch, including Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer and Publicity Officer. Gail’s care and commitment combined with her extensive knowledge and history make her a true asset to Red Cross.
Ms Joan Ilchmann from Red Cross Robina:
Joan has been a member of the Robina Branch of the Australian Red Cross for 19 years, holding several different positions including Secretary, Vice President and Treasurer. Joan commenced Red Cross Trauma Teddy Service in 1999, operating as the Convenor for 2 years and also co-convened the Doll, Bear and Craft Show.
Ms Joan Audrey Foster from Red Cross Robina:
Audrey joined Robina Red Cross in 1998 and has held several positions including President, Vice President and co-convenor of Trauma Teddy Service and the Doll, Bear and Craft Show.
Ms Judi Paul from Varsity Vegies:
Judi generously gives her time to assist the Committee and gardeners with all and sundry and has been instrumental in extending the communal areas, planting and caring for produce which is shared amongst the gardeners.
Ms Marie Claire Staddon from RSPCA Gold Coast – Robina Op Shop:
Marie Claire has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer at the RSPCA Robina Op Shop since September 2009 and in these 4 years, she has tirelessly contributed a huge 3,715 hours of volunteering work. With three dogs of her own, Marie Claire has a passion for animals and is dedicated to the RSPCA cause and raising much needed funds to help animals in need.
Mrs Patricia Harris from Robina State High School:
Pat is an unflagging, dedicated volunteer, involved for many years in her grandchildren’s tuckshop duties throughout their primary and high schooling. She also works at the Sports Carnival every year and can be relied on to help out the school at a moments notice.
Ms Carol Allan from Robina Hospital:
For 13 years, Carol has been a commited volunteer at Robina Hospital, completing a 6 week intensive training course in Palliative Care so she can provide support, care and comfort to patients, families and carers in the Palliative Care Ward.
Mr Neville Lewis from Robina Hospital:
Neville and his wife Elaine have been volunteering their time at Robina Hospital for 9 years, continually greeting patients and visitors at the Main Entrance with a smile. Neville is reliable and dedicated and always willing to help out wherever needed.
Mrs Elaine Lewis from Robina Hospital:
Elaine has been volunteering her time at Robina Hospital for 9 years, providing a cafe trolley and library trolley service to patients. Elaine is always there with a smile and a chat with the patients.
Mr Christopher Gallagher from Robina Lions Club:
Chris is a Year 11 student at Varsity College and has been helping out with Lions Projects for the past 5 years. This year Chris was up at 4am to help Robina Lions at this years Airport Marathon, showing that young people can give back to their community too.
Ms Bonnie Niland from Robina Lions Club:
Bonnie has been a member of Robina Lions Club for 9 years, during which time she has been Secretary and Assistant Secretary. Bonnie consistently assists with all club functions and has a willing attitude and friendly smile.
Mr Geoff Dubois from Robina Lions Club:
For over 23 years, Geoff has been a hard working member of Robina Lions Club and always offers to volunteer at all Club events. Geoff is a tireless sausage sizzle assistant, a Lions Club board member and a dedicated volunteer.
Ms Donna Selby from Queensland Police, Robina Police Station:
Donna is a volunteer policing member, who works at Robina Police Station with dedication and aptitude for service requirements to make our community safer and raise awareness of crime prevention strategies.
Mr David Cocks from Queensland Police, Robina Police Station:
David is also a volunteer policing member, working tirelessly to make our community safer and raise awareness of crime prevention strategies.
Ms Nancy Blake from Newlife Uniting Church , Robina:
Nancy is one of the longest serving administration volunteers and she faithfully serves each Friday to ensure all work is completed for the 4 services held over the weekend. Nancy has been volunteering for many years and is a vital part of all ministry areas.
Ms Elaine Freeman from Newlife Uniting Church, Robina:
Elaine is a faithful administration volunteer as well as a Crossroads Ministry volunteer. She has volunteered for over 10 years and is faithful and diligent contributor to the community and the greater good.
Mr Malcolm Rathbone from Newlife Uniting Church, Robina:
Malcolm is the volunteer receptionist at Newlife Uniting Church, Robina, giving over 40 hours of his time each month. Malcolm is so faithful and diligent he served during times when he had no transport and caught several buses to get to work and even hired a car to meet his committments.
Mr Greg Ewart from Varsity College / VCL / Sporting Clubs:
Greg is the immediate past President of the Varsity College P&C, as well as volunteering in all school and community activities. He volunteered his skills to design the Middle School community playground and has been a board member of VLCL for 5 years. Greg volunteered to be part of the committee for the Robina Sports Centre project and is always happy to help, inspiring others to become more committed to community involvement. Greg is involved in many sports clubs and actively encourages community members to be involved in community life.
Mrs Mary Pugsley from Varsity Lakes Community Resource Centre:
Mary is a valuable member of the Centre’s Knit & Chat group and generously donates her time and wool for the creation of goods for those in need in our community. She has been instrumental in securing many donations of wool for the group, allowing the charitable work to have a broad reach across the community. Mary has also been a long term volunteer for the Burleigh Heads Legacy Laurel Club, having volunteered with them for 22 years where she held postions such as President, Secretary and Treasurer on the Executive Committee.
Special awards were issued to the following community members:
Mr Nigel Allsop:
Nigel gives up his time freely to so many different causes and is a true volunteer and humanitarian. He is a vocal ambassador for the establishment of Animal Memorials and his passion for the recognition of the voiceless is truly inspirational. He is the founder of the Australian War Animal Organisation Inc, a not-for-profit organisation, which aim to promote the establishmet of plaques or other animal memorials at Parks, RSL’s or Local and Federal Government sites.
In early 2012, Nigel approached Cr Grew to hold a memorial service to dedicate a special plaque to all animals who have served in war and peace time. The ceremony took place in May 2012 at the Robina Community Centre.
Nigel is a historian of the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dogs Association, a war veteran and is currently serving as a Police dog handler. He is a trooper of the Mudgeeraba Light Horse and on their museum committee. He has worked with many different animals at the Auckland Zoo and held several postions with the Australiasian Zoological Society. Nigel has lectured at Macquarie University and has appeared on several TV Wildlife shows and is a much sort after guest speaker.
He is a published author of three war animal novels. The profits of which were used to buy the operational war dog medals for the Australian service dogs. Nigel’s new book is titled “Smoky the War Dog”, which will be published in October this year. Nigel will again generously donate profits from the sale of this book towards the Australian Army Rehabilitation Centre for wounded soldiers and will help fund two dogs used there for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Nigel’s enthusiasm, passion and energy inspires all of those around him.
Ms Christine Halliwell, Cheif Operating Officer Titans 4 Tomorrow, Gold Coast Titans:
The Gold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based at Skilled Park in Robina. In an effort to give back to the community, the Titans are committed to supporting local community groups and charities both local and across the State.
Their contribution to the community is supported by the many programs they run such as Titans 4 Tomorrow – where they support students to reach their full potential in all aspects of life. They hold clinics during school holiday with activities for over 400 children, they have Indigenous veterans projects and support NAIDOC weeks and hold Indigenous Leadership camps.
The Titans host many charity events where community groups directly benefit. Their major event is their annual Gold Coast Titans Charity Ball at Jupiters Casino. Over the past 8 years, they have raised over $1 million dollars.
Every month they support a different charity and raise money for great causes such as the Million Paws Walk, which was their chosen charity this May, in which Titans players and their dogs participated in.
The Titans support the annual blood donation at the Robina Blood Donor Centre. They have delivered dozens of bags of used clothes donated by Titans players and staff to the Gold Coast Homelessness Network and the players also visit sick children in hospitals.
This special award is for the recognition of the Gold Coast Titans ongoing work in our community.
The Robina Group congratulates these very special division 11 residents for their awards and we thank award recipients for their tireless and inspirational commitment to our community.
