Unsung Heroes Awards 2009

IGA is delighted to announce the state winners in the 2009 IGA Community Chest Unsung Heroes Awards.

Each state winner’s chosen charity or organisation will be rewarded with a $5,000 donation to help them continue to deliver a great service to their local community.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Queensland Winner	Samuel Freeman - Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit At just seven years of age, Samuel Freeman volunteers for numerous organisations and has done so for more than three years. The fundraising activities he has organised and carried out for the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit have raised close to $10,000 to date! Samuel has also donated his time to raise money for The Queensland Cancer Council Daffodil Day, Legacy Day, Remembrance Day Poppy Appeal and The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal…this list goes on! When Samuel is not busy completing his homework or volunteering his time to the organisations listed above, you can find him along the South Pine River and the Brendale area planting trees and clearing non-native weeds from bushland or working alongside time keeping officials at State Swimming Competitions. Samuel’s enthusiastic attitude and winning smile ensures he is extremely successful in assisting others – and he just loves what he does!
New South Wales Winner	Jean Willmington - Cancer Council of NSW The community of Luddenham has been touched by the efforts of Jean Willmington, who devotes most of her time and energy to charity work and raising money for the Cancer Council. Now in her 70s, Jean is described as the ‘backbone’ of Luddenham. Whether she’s organising raffles and morning teas or selling roses grown by her husband, Jean is dedicated to the cause, last year raising a total $12,000 for cancer research. She is up at the crack of dawn to run a monthly stall at the local market, proudly selling items that she has spent hours collecting from the community. Jean’s goodwill extends to the residents of the local Edenglassie Nursing Home, who Jean visits each Christmas with more than one hundred small gifts that she has collected and wrapped to help brighten their day. Also a proud member of her local church, Jean spends many hours volunteering and often steps in for the minister to deliver the sermon. Jean not only shares her cakes and conversation with her community but also her selfless volunteer work, making her a true local hero.
Western Australian Winner	Wayne Gibbons - Mungullah Community Aboriginal Corporation Having retired from corporate life in Melbourne five years ago, Wayne Gibbons set out to do something ‘hands on and fulfilling’ in his spare time. There is no doubt he has achieved that, having travelled across the country with his wife Anne to spend the past 12 months volunteering in the remote Western Australian Aboriginal community of Mungullah (near Carnarvon). As a former general manager, Wayne has been devoting full-time hours to help get the community back on its feet, acting as a mentor to the council members and office staff, building on their skills and capabilities, and helping the community establish a range of simple programs. School attendance has improved with a breakfast and lunch program, and an after school program for boys and girls. Wayne now considers the people of Mungullah to be part of his family and wants it to be a happier and healthier place when he eventually leaves. While most volunteers contribute between one and three months to these types of projects, Wayne has made an extraordinary contribution to the community and has recently committed to another year with them.
South Australian Winner	Louanne Johns - Camp Quality South Australia During her early 20s Louanne Johns registered her name on a waiting list to volunteer for Camp Quality – a decision that changed her life forever. Now 43, Louanne has spent the past 15 years volunteering for Camp Quality, an organisation that focuses on making a positive difference to children living with cancer. As a companion to these children and a camp leader, Louanne has committed an extraordinary amount of time to the program, regularly taking kids and their families away on weekend and five-day camps. She has also helped raise close to $400,000 for Camp Quality, undertaking every fundraising opportunity imaginable, from quiz nights, cabarets and fun runs, to garage sales and raffles. Her extraordinary volunteer work at Camp Quality was acknowledged in 2007 with an Order of Australia Medal. Louanne also works part-time for Anglicare running the Star Bear program for children grieving the loss of a family member or guardian. Her selfless attitude and positive outlook on life make her an excellent role model throughout the community and an inspiration to all.
Victorian Winner	Doris Sargent - Sunnyside House Doris Sargent is well-known to the Camperdown community as a knit-a-holic, a tea-a-holic and a volunteer-a-holic! At 89 years young, Doris volunteers at the Sunnyside House Opportunity Shop twice a week, and has done so since 1968. All money raised through the Sunnyside House Opportunity Shop is distributed to the Sunnyside Aged Care facility and used solely for the benefit of the residents. Doris’ passion and dedication for the community saw her being named a Life Governor of Sunnyside House Inc. in 1979 – a title Doris is extremely proud of! Over the years, Doris has also volunteered for The Salvation Army, and visited countless local hospitals to assist those in need. Amongst all her voluntary work, she still finds time to spend with her four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren – Doris is a true ‘Unsung Hero’.