FNQ Volunteers is primed to host the FNQ Volunteer of the Year Awards on Friday, 24 May, 2024.
The event is the organisation’s first of its kind since 2021 due to budgetary constraints and
the highly anticipated cocktail-style evening is set to be one of food, drinks, music, and an
award ceremony honouring the region’s outstanding volunteers.
Cairns and the Far North’s not-for-profit organisations have nominated selfless individuals
who donate their time and talents to making a difference in their communities.
There are 43 nominees across seven categories with winners to be honoured at a gathering
of 150 attendees at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort.
FNQ Volunteers Program Coordinator Melissa Schulz said that the nominations and judging
process have taken place, so now all that’s left to do is acknowledge and celebrate the
people who have gone above and beyond in their philanthropic endeavours – and
encourage others to join them.
“We want to get the message out to the community that we have a really great volunteering
scene,” she said.
“We would love to get more people involved in volunteering because numbers are down
since Covid.
“A part of this event is to educate and inspire the broader community about the work that
volunteers do, about how essential they are to our community, and their work in every
sector.”
According to Ms Schulz, many organisations simply wouldn’t function without volunteers.
“We want to thank those exceptional volunteers through these awards, let them know how
essential they are, and spread the message that there are opportunities for everyone to get
involved.”
The FNQ Volunteer of the Year Awards 2024 fall during National Volunteer Week, 20-26
May. This year’s theme of National Volunteer Week is “Something for Everyone.”
FNQ Volunteers is embracing this theme as their awards night aims to boost volunteering
numbers in the region.
As a volunteer resource hub, FNQ Volunteers connects partnering organisations with
volunteers from all backgrounds, filling unskilled to highly skilled positions, with time
commitments spanning from one hour per fortnight to fifteen hours per week.
FNQ Volunteers service from the Cassowary Coast up to Mossman and the Atherton
Tablelands, partnering with over 100 not-for-profit organisations, some of which are entirely
volunteer-run and staffed.
“These not-for-profits can register with us for free and list the volunteer roles they have
available and get those openings advertised,” Ms Schulz said.
“We currently have around 170 volunteering opportunities available, and we interview
prospective volunteers and refer them to the organisations and roles they are suited to.”
According to Ms Schulz, a lack of funding in the volunteering sector has been a significant
issue over the last few years, and so the aim of the FNQ Volunteer of the Year Awards is to
raise awareness of the industry and encourage interested parties to get involved.
The FNQ Volunteers Awards evening promises to be a memorable occasion, filled with
heartfelt tributes, inspiring stories, and a renewed sense of community spirit.
Ms Schulz extended her thanks on behalf of FNQ Volunteers to the sponsors of the FNQ
Volunteer of the Year Awards 2024, including major sponsors Cairns Regional Council, Cairns
Business Women’s Club, and Wishing Well Care.
Tickets to the FNQ Volunteer of the Year Awards are available via Humanitix.
The evening will be emceed by 2024 Cairns Woman of the Year Alana McKenna, with music by Jeremiah
Johnson.
About FNQ Volunteers: FNQ Volunteers provides essential support to local non-profits,
including referrals, event coordination, resource sharing, networking opportunities, and
tailored training, ensuring they can run exceptional volunteer programs.
The FNQ Volunteer of the Year Awards 2024 are proudly supported by Cairns Regional
Council, FNQ Volunteers Inc., Adllins Media, Cairns Business Women’s Club, Wishing Well
Care, Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, Wellness Embodied, Cairns Hardware, COUCH, National
Joblink, CAPTA group and Bunnings.
Media release by Adllins Media
