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Uniting Church in Queensland moderator David Baker, UnitingCare Queensland CEO Anne Cross, 2014 Moderator’s Community Service Medal recipient Shirley Wyatt and Maria Maloney, Wesley Hospital volunteer manager. Photo: Holly Jewell
Uniting Church in Queensland moderator David Baker, UnitingCare Queensland CEO Anne Cross, 2014 Moderator’s Community Service Medal recipient Shirley Wyatt and Maria Maloney, Wesley Hospital volunteer manager. Photo: Holly Jewell

Moderator’s Community Service Medal: The search is on

UnitingCare Queensland is on the lookout for outstanding volunteers who reflect the UnitingCare Queensland mission. Emily Murray writes.

The search is on for nominations for the 2016 Moderator’s Community Service Medal. Successful nominees will have the opportunity to be presented with their medal during the Uniting Church in Queensland’s 32nd Synod meeting at Alexandra Park Conference Centre 20–24 May.

UnitingCare Queensland CEO Anne Cross says a Moderator’s Medal is a great way to recognise the invaluable work of volunteers.

“The Moderator’s Medal is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge dedicated volunteers who do great work in the community,” she says.

Wesley Hospital volunteer Shirley Wyatt was presented with a Moderator’s Medal in 2014.

She was nominated by Maria Maloney, then volunteer manager at the Wesley Hospital, who said Shirley’s uplifting spirit had brought many patients and families joy over the years.

“Shirley and her late husband Daryl developed a deep connection with nursing staff at the Wesley Hospital in the months leading to Daryl passing away. This inspired Shirley to join the Wesley Volunteer Department and over the last six years, she has volunteered two or three full days every week to support people at the hospital.

“From delivering newspapers and flowers, to getting dressed up as the ‘Think Pink Fairy’ to raise vital funds for Kim Walters Choices Program, Shirley reflects unlimited kind-heartedness and is a role model and mentor for others,” Maria says.

Shirley was one of the 12 selected from the 39 nominations received from across the state.

This year judges are looking for nominations that truly reflect the UnitingCare Queensland mission:

“As part of the Uniting Church, the mission of UnitingCare Queensland is to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities as we reach out to people in need, speak out for fairness and justice, care with compassion, innovation and wisdom.”

To be considered for the medal, nominees must be a volunteer, past or present and have exhibited outstanding service over a number of years. They need to have been involved in community service work other than congregational work (for example, with Blue Care, UnitingCare Community, UnitingCare Health hospitals, Wesley Mission Brisbane or community service agencies outside the Uniting Church) and must not be in paid employment connected to their volunteer work.

Nominations can be made via the UnitingCare Queensland website.
Detailed information about the nominee and their outstanding contribution to the community should be included to assist the judging panel.
Please feel free to re-submit nominations from previous years if a medal was not awarded.

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