Cheryl Harris - Everyday hero

Everyday hero

Not all superheros wear capes, but there are some people in our community who certainly deserve one. We shine the spotlight on one very special lady who has dedicated her life to helping others by volunteering her time and being an advocate for those who need it most.

Cheryl Harris

Words Ingrid Nelson

Every now and again you meet someone who makes you stop and think about what is really important in life and what you are doing to help others: Cheryl Harris is one of those people.

A champion of volunteering, Cheryl was named the 2021 Sunshine Coast Citizen of the year for her outstanding work as CEO of Volunteering Sunshine Coast.

Under her stewardship, volunteering has grown significantly on the Sunshine Coast through collaboration with local government, business, and strong community partnerships. Today, there are around 64,000 volunteers supporting the Sunshine Coast community in widely diverse fields, which equates to around $245 million in unpaid wages.

“Volunteers are a huge part of our social fabric. In Australia, every organisation, no matter what they do, needs volunteers. If you took them out of the equation, there would be hardly any services,” says Cheryl.

“It was such a lovely journey, seeing the growth of the organisation and working with amazing volunteers who are so selfless and get a kick out of what they do without wanting anything in return.”

Always modest about her contributions to the community, Cheryl says she was “blown away” to receive the coveted award earlier this year.

“I think I could have fainted on that day when Mayor Mark Jamieson called out my name. He had to say it again. I thought it must be a mistake,” says Cheryl. “There are such deserving people, and it was such a huge honour to be nominated and to be on the stage with those amazing people.” Although she officially retired from the position this year, Cheryl continues to help others through various groups including the Maroochydore Neighbourhood Centre, Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance through the Mentoring program and the Healthy Ageing Partnership Network (HAP).

But let’s go back to where it all began for this truly deserving local legend.

Born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Cheryl grew up in a very close-knit family, where helping others was an intrinsic part of her upbringing.

“To me, it’s a natural thing you do in life, you try and help others. You get so much joy out of it. It should never be for a return. You do it because you love what you do,” says Cheryl modestly.

And despite experiencing her fair share of trauma throughout her life, including losing her first husband in a car accident, Cheryl says it was her supportive family and strong faith that taught her some of life’s biggest lessons and shaped who she is today.

“Unfortunately, the year before the car accident, I lost my grandparents, who I was exceptionally close to and I also lost my mum when I was just 20-years-old,” says Cheryl.

However, as she laments on her past, Cheryl counts herself lucky for all her blessings, including her two children. Her mantra is that there is always plenty to be grateful for.

“When I think back on my life, I have been very blessed,” says Cheryl.

“I believe life is like a pack of cards: you are dealt a hand and have no idea what that hand is going to be. You have to make the most of what you are dealt, and I was very fortunate I grew up with a lot of love and wonderful mentors.”

“Mum would teach us values and respect. She always said, Never become a victim, whatever happens in one’s life you need to rise above it’. It has always stuck with me. There are always others who are worse off.

“If only people would realise that just by being kind, the world would be such a different place.”

Moving to Australia in 1992, Cheryl and her second husband Ken, settled on the Sunshine Coast and she has been helping others in our community ever since.

From working in patient care at Buderim Private Hospital, Caloundra Hospital and Selangor, Cheryl then studied diversional therapy, which allowed her to work across several industries she was passionate about including disability and aged care.

“I landed a job with Sunshine 60 and Better, which I loved. I had so much fun working with the seniors. They have so much knowledge and wisdom to share,” says Cheryl.

However, life took a different direction for Cheryl when her husband was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, eventually requiring dialysis for many years before undergoing a kidney transplant.

It was to be the catalyst for Cheryl’s next role where she was instrumental in setting up a committee for those needing support with kidney disease.

“I will never forget the day I had a meeting with a charity group called CADET in Caloundra and they donated an eight-seater bus to us for transporting patients to and from dialysis,” says Cheryl.

“We then opened a kidney support op shop in Point Cartwright and then Buderim, it was so wonderful to be able to help the patients and their families.” Always looking for ways to help others, in 2001 Cheryl was part of the group who founded Caring Clowns, a group of volunteers who brighten the hospital wards by dressing up and bringing smiles to the faces of sick patients.

So, what is this wonderful lady doing now she has a little more time on her hands? More volunteering, of course!

“I still have too much living to do before I croak it,” laughs Cheryl.

As president of the Maroochy Neighbourhood centre, Cheryl is passionate about caring for families who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.

She is also Chair of the Healthy Ageing Partnership Network, promoting collaborative partnerships and practices for seniors across the region.

“I think ageing frightens a lot of people, but age is not a death sentence,” says Cheryl.

“We need to accept we are going to end up with a few aches and pains and a different body to when we were 25. But it’s good to keep the brain going. There are so many activities we can do. We can go to yoga, study at U3A (University of the Third Age), we can volunteer, offer to be a mentor, or even to help with a child’s homework. We have to change the way we think about ageing.”

As a valued member of our senior community herself, Cheryl is testament that age is no barrier when it comes to contributing to our society.

“We don’t want to lose the history of our seniors, they have so much wisdom to impart. We need to listen and value it more.”

With mentors like Cheryl to look up to, our future is in safe hands.

“Volunteers are a huge part of our social fabric. In Australia, every organisation, no matter what they do, needs volunteers. If you took them out of the equation, there would be hardly any services.”