2021 Moncrieff Community Awards Speech in the Federation Chamber

On 23 September, it gave me the greatest pleasure to host the 2021 Moncrieff community volunteer awards at the Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre. The awards provide us with the opportunity to recognise our volunteers for the contributions that they make to the central Gold Coast community. Our volunteers are an inspiration to our community and nation, and we are richer for them. We’re lucky to have so many volunteers who do the hard yards in the community to give extra help when required.

I’m pleased that we were able to host two presentations this year to accommodate our record-breaking number of nominations, allowing us to celebrate those wonderful 59 individuals for stepping up and standing out as bright shining stars in our community. I congratulate the recipients of the Gladys Moncrieff Award, Bill Wakefield, for his work with domestic violence and self-defence classes, and Julie Clark, for volunteering in the Merrimac State High School canteen for over 30 years and for her dedicated work as the coordinator of Broadbeach 7 division Neighbourhood Watch. I also congratulate Isabella Danaher and the Emmanuel College year 12 girls’ sewing group, a group of 40 girls who received the inaugural Gladys Moncrieff Youth Award for those under 18 who show the same traits of service to community. Congratulations to all of the recipients. You are the glue that holds our community together and I’m extremely proud to be your member and represent you in Canberra.