Member for Glass House Andrew Powell recently thanked volunteers of the Glass House electorate with a special morning tea awards ceremony in Maleny.
“Covid stopped me from doing these for a while, but I used to hold an annual volunteer awards morning tea,” said Mr Powell.
“It felt right to bring it back now and these awards are a special highlight in my calendar.”
A total of 25 nominations were received, including a very special nomination for Moya Pullinger of the Sacred Heart Conference in Maleny.
“Moya’s nomination was very touching. Her nominee truly sees her as having a heart of gold and I believe her nomination and contribution to the community is worth sharing,” Andrew said.
Moya has been a member of the local conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society for the past 18 years.
She has been the secretary for the past 12 years and was also the secretary of the Regional Council of the Society for 9 years.
Moya was particularly active in organising applications for assistance under the Society’s Children’s Education Fund which assists parents meet the costs of educating children.
She contacted families which she thought might be eligible for assistance, saw to the submission of applications and managed the distribution of funds to successful applicants.
The Society only has a small number of members at the local conference but Moya has been a valued member who often went beyond what could be called reasonable for a volunteer to help people in need.
Moya and her husband John will soon be moving to Beerwah.
Another exceptional nomination Andrew received was for Cherryl Williams from the Glasshouse Country RSL Sub-Branch.
Cherryl’s nominee said that she was a tireless volunteer who cooked every Friday night at the RSL for up to 40 people while managing the other volunteers in the kitchen.
She also caters for Anzac Day, Vietnam Veterans Day and Remembrance day, and organises private functions such as wakes for returned service families.
The celebratory morning tea was held at the Maleny Community Centre and catered for by the lovely ladies of the Maleny Hospital Auxiliary, who provided a delicious cake, sandwiches, finger foods, tea and coffee.
“It also feels important to note that the women from the Hospital Auxiliary team are volunteers as well, as all proceeds raised go towards the Hospital,” Andrew said.
Moya Pullinger has been recognised for her volunteering efforts.
