The South Burnett Volunteer Of The Year Australia Day Award recognises an outstanding volunteer who has contributed to the operation of one or more not-for-profit groups operating within the Shire.
Ron Rankin ... a very familiar figure in the Brigooda area
Ron has been maintaining the Brigooda landfill site on a voluntary basis every week for the last 25 years. Using his personal tractor and fuel to maintain the site, and with a recent knee re-construction not able to slow him down, Ron continues his service to the Brigooda area, motivated by his passion for delivering exceptional service and helping Council keep up-to-date with local issues and concerns.
John Box
John’s full profile can be found in the 2014 South Burnett Citizen Of The Year Award section
Max Lehmann – 2014 Winner
A “head for numbers” and a “heart for community” sums up Max’s dedication to volunteering. Since 1989, he has been an integral member of the Kingaroy Lions Club holding the positions of President and Treasurer during his time with the Club.
Max has an extraordinary ability to calculate just the right amount of food and drinks for the many events the Lions Club’s support, and plays a key role in organising successful barbecues, bars and catering for social and community events.
Max also continues to give his financial and management skills to several other South Burnett organisations. In addition to serving for 11 years on the former Kingaroy Shire Council and his extensive commitment to the Kingaroy Lions Club, his knowledge, wisdom and participation has guided the success of not-for-profit organisations such as South Burnett CTC, South Burnett Enterprise Centre, the South Burnett Branch of the Queensland Cancer Council, the Kingaroy Debutante Ball Committee, South Burnett Eisteddfod, South Burnett Tourism Association, South Burnett Relay for Life and Centacare South Burnett.
The Kingaroy Lions Club is widely acknowledged as a major financial supporter of South Burnett groups and projects that support the needs of our region. Without Max, the $100,000 donated over the past three years would have been much harder to achieve.
Grant Geddes
Grant is a Murgon SES Support Group volunteer and was instrumental in the design and innovation of the Personal Assistant Lighting System (PALS).
He has raised more than $450,000 for local community groups and wants to ensure that the South Burnett is better prepared for any future disaster events.
He organised the “SES Week Trek” from Murgon to Brisbane which stopped at each town along the way to hand out Disaster Ready kits, put on a free barbecue and inform the community about how to be better prepared.
He is also involved in the St John Ambulance, ensuring local young people have the invaluable life skill of first aid training.
Margaret Connell
Margaret Connell ... valued volunteer in the Coverty and Proston areas
Margaret’s continuing and valued volunteering contributions to the Coverty and Proston area mean a lot to this community. Her help in many of the support activities enables the other volunteers to focus on more important tasks they are faced with.
Keith Simmons
Keith Simmons ... working hard on behalf of the Endeavour Foundation
Keith is one of the main ingredients in the Kingaroy Endeavour Foundation’s famous biscuits.
Keith attends various functions to display and sell products on behalf of the Foundation, and his help ensures the 30 employees at Endeavour Foundation’s Kingaroy Kitchen having meaningful employment.
Keith can also be found volunteering countless hours at the Nanango Show Society, maintaining the grounds to ensure their presentation is the pride of the district. He is an excellent tradesman and without his help repairing and maintaining equipment used on the grounds, the Show Society would be up for considerable additional expenses.
Nothing is too difficult – if Keith can give a hand he will, his enthusiasm and commitment to assist is a credit to him.
Barbara and Marie Newson
After the 2013 floods, Barbara and Marie organised more than 2400 meals for the Murgon BlaizeAid Camp over a four-month period. Their dedication to helping the South Burnett recover by helping with the restoration of the flood damaged farms in the South Burnett and Gympie communities is greatly appreciated.
Yvonne Hurt
Yvonne has been a volunteer with Proston Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years, tirelessly preparing and delivering of meals to help Proston residents stay longer in their own homes. The clients love when Yvonne is on deliveries as she always makes time to sit and have a chat with them.
Yvonne also helps out at the Wondai Visitor Information Centre, Driver Reviver and the Proston Show.
