Community champions recognised at Volunteer Awards

Joint Frank Lenz Memorial Award winners awarded

Two selfless community volunteers with a passion for helping others have been recognised for their efforts at the Logan City Council Volunteer Awards.

Springwood’s Carole Willson and Beenleigh’s John Mulraney were named joint winners of the Volunteer of the Year Frank Lenz Memorial Award for their tireless efforts within the community.

John’s dedication to the Rotary Club of Beenleigh spans more than 30 years, including time as Club President and Secretary.

The Beenleigh resident regularly coordinates and educates members to fulfil the organisation’s mission and has played an active role with Rotary’s youth and youth exchange programs.

He also coordinated the Rotary Club’s response to the floods including providing food for the Mud Army, lending barbeques to families unable to cook in their own homes, and lobbying Rotary International for a Disaster Relief Support package to provide financial relief to impacted community members.

Joint winner Carole has shown equally as much dedication to meeting the needs of her local community. A longstanding supporter of the Logan East Community Neighbourhood Centre, Carole has volunteered at the organisation for nearly a decade.

Carole donates her time across the Centre, including running the Community Garden program, managing bric-a-brac donations and sourcing fundraising to support Centre programs and services.

She takes great pride in supporting her community during tough times, with the Springwood resident also coordinating and providing emergency and dignity packs from donated goods to those in need.

Mayor Darren Power congratulated Carole and John for their significant contributions to the community.

“It’s a reflection on the quality and quantity of candidates that we have chosen to award the Frank Lenz Award to two outstanding individuals,” Cr Power said.

“Carole and John exemplify the spirit of the Volunteer Awards through their ongoing dedication and commitment to helping their community.

“I wish to thank all of our winners and nominees for their tireless efforts in supporting the Logan community.”

Quota Beenleigh Inc won the Davida Steele Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Organisation.

The organisation was recognised for its ongoing service to disadvantaged community members and students.

The organisations provides assistance to those who need it most through a range of service programs, including emergency hospital packs, running hearing and speech projects for children with hearing and speech difficulties, emergency clothing for children in care, and the Junior Quota club.

Springwood’s Bella-Marie Anderson was awarded the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

Bella-Marie was acknowledged for her efforts in supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty and domestic violence at outreach organisation ‘Touch of Hope’.

Logan Village’s Spencer Robinson received the Spirit of Logan Award for his commitment to Parkrun Australia and Clean Up Australia Day.

Spencer is an active participant and volunteer at the regular Parkrun in Yarrabilba, and also dedicates time to collecting rubbish before and during the 5km run. He also organises the yearly Parkrun Yarrabilba Clean Up Australia Day event.

The 2023 City of Logan Volunteer Awards, included a thank-you brunch for local volunteers, at the Logan Entertainment Centre today. Guests were served by the Mayor, Councillors and other dignitaries.

Olympic swimming legend Lisa Curry was the guest speaker.