• 2022 End of Year celebrations

Congratulations to our volunteers on long years of service with the program: Graeme Masterman 5 years with the Down ‘n’ Dirty Botanic Gardens group and Sugarworld group; Sandy Long 10 years with Down ‘n’ Dirty, Jabirus and has offered support with other groups in that time; Pat MacConnacher 10 years with Down ‘n ‘Dirty; Leslie Francis 5 years Jalarra Park; Erica Thomas 5 years with Down ‘n’ Dirty; Del Van Mierlo 10 years with Down ‘n’ Dirty, Little Taccas and various Friends’ activities; Val Schier awarded for her 5 years volunteering at Keith Edwick Park, but is also known for her position as the Friends president. ABSENT: 5 years of service - Hazel Lees, Tim Wood, Bridget Bonnin and Tom Collis (also magazine contributor) volunteering at Jalarra Park; Joel Groberg behind the scenes supporting Stratford Nursery; and Dympna Leonard, Letitia Choppy and Howard Burgess volunteering at Keith Edwick Park.

Rhonnie, Anne, Pat and Wendy Kandy and Rosi

Our special guest speaker at this End of Year celebrations was Cr Kristy Vallely who spoke highly of the program aims, and volunteer Sandy Long asked to speak after receiving his 10 years of service certificate.

Bob and Suzy

Julie, Chelsea, Jeannette and Elaine

Robert and Gio

Volunteer speech Sandy Long

On behalf of those of us who received rewards for service, I take the privilege to respond with gratitude and pride we all feel in our association with your many and varied projects; programs which uplift and enhance our tropical paradise. This is creating a beautiful environment for all people; indeed, from all around the world. Visitors here experience “wow factor”. Thankyou for your presence here today, Div 6 Councillor Vallely, Councillor Olds, Councillor Eden, Councillor Zeiger. Perhaps you may convey, informally to your colleagues, our appreciation of your support for the range of programs. On behalf of Cattana Jabirus, I especially mention Div 8 Councillor Coghlan who supports and promotes with passion, indeed down in the mud planting trees for us, and persuading Destry and his team to deploy manpower and machinery on a regular program despite budgetary constraints. It’s making a difference. Cattana is looking cared for now. In 2015, I attended the National Conference of FOBGs on the Gold Coast. This was in conjunction with Liaison Officer Louisa Grandy, with alacrity, sponsored by Council to accompany me; that is – a Council staff person and a volunteer working in enthusiastic harmony towards common goals. We were the envy of the nation! So it remains today. Finally, I beg your indulgence for a moment. Experience with your Volunteer programs is life-changing, uplifting, surrounded by inspirational people from the most incredibly diverse backgrounds. Just flip a few pages of Volunteer Voice! There are too, those who are on the ground. To quiet contributors … Pat! My friend and Down ‘n’ Dirty colleague for 10 years and persistence to become … Aussie Pat. But hey mate, ya gonna hafta do somethint about that Pommie accent, eh?! And Del from day dot to day stop, always and ever a kind word. Down ‘n’ Dirty, Little Taccas, and Friends tour guide, tour guide leader, committee person, vice president … I’ve probably missed something … the only person in the world I know who can limp with a smile. To our lynchpin, Louisa – I’m devastated you are not here today - leader to Sarah, Sarah, and Christian; supervisor to so many of us – to many … friend, confidant, tonic in those cloudy moments – we all have those sometimes – time aside with vision and compassion and a better tomorrow. And so it is to be for you today, Louisa. For tomorrow you will be better … and tomorrow we are … all of us together … onwards and upwards!

Opening speech Cr Kristy Vallely

Green Space Our Place is more than a volunteer program. - It connects people with nature and people with people. - It educates. - It Inspires. - It truly has a significant impact on our community. Our world has changed so much. And we spend a lot more time indoors. We don’t know our neighbours. And some of us live in silos. That’s why programs like this are so important. If you think back thousands of years ago, when we lived in clans, we taught our children to grow foods that we could eat. We taught them to choose foods that had medicinal qualities. We taught them the importance of looking after the land. And we planted trees and looked after our waterways. We would spend time together on the land, talking, passing on wisdom, inspiring, connecting and understanding each other. Programs like this provide not only a deep connection to the earth and the importance of looking after it, it provides an opportunity for human connection which is something we all yearn for. On behalf of my fellow Councillors and Mayor, I’d like to particularly thank Louisa (and her dedicated team) and of course all the volunteers - you truly are making a difference to the lives of others. Much love and respect for what you all do.

Hazel and Les

Kate and Janice