Volunteer wins $10,000 for charity

Ettalong Beach resident Ms Nicky Younger has been named 2008 Volunteer of the Year for her work with the Peninsula division of St John Ambulance.

Ms Younger received a prize donation of $10,000 which will go towards providing the St John Ambulance Peninsula division with a new patient retrieval vehicle.

The international award is part of the Macquarie Group Foundation's annual Macquarie Staff Community Awards which recognise its staff members' efforts and achievements in the community.

Ms Younger works as an advisor assistant in the Macquarie Group's Sydney office.

"It was such a lovely surprise to be recognised for my local volunteer work on the Peninsula at such a global scale," Ms Younger said.

"I have been volunteering with St John Ambulance since 2001 and last year alone I volunteered over 300 hours in events, training and leadership roles with St John.

"I have volunteered at many local events including sporting games, Australia Day and Anzac celebrations and the annual Brisbane Water Oyster Festival, to name a few.

"I believe volunteer work with St John Ambulance is such a rewarding and gratifying experience because you get to give back to your local community while keeping up-to-date with first-aid and other medical procedures."

Ms Younger said she first joined St John Ambulance as a volunteer after completing a first-aid course with the organisation.

"Following the course they offered participants the chance to put what they had learnt into practice and I have found it to be a truly helpful and satisfying part of my life," Ms Younger said.

"The money donated by the Macquarie Foundation has been gratefully accepted by the Peninsula division and it will definitely come in handy for us to purchase a new patient retrieval vehicle for the local area."

St John Ambulance Peninsula division superintendent Mr Terry Mitchell said he was very grateful for Ms Younger's time while commending her dedication and commitment to the organisation.

"Nicky cultivates a 'can-do' attitude in other members, shares the joys and low-points of this type of work and fosters the spirit of good-will and pleasure that comes from donating one's time and efforts," Mr Mitchell said.

Head of the Macquarie Group Foundation Ms Julie White said the foundation places great importance on supporting the community efforts of its staff.

"The contribution of Macquarie Group staff - as volunteers, fundraisers, board members of not-for-profit organisations and pro bono service providers - continues to grow from strength to strength, significantly enhancing Macquarie's overall community effort," Ms White said.

The Peninsula division of St John Ambulance currently has 15 volunteers giving up their time to assist at local events.

According to Mr Mitchell, the division is always looking for more volunteers to help out.

The Peninsula division meets on most Wednesdays from 7.30pm at the Peninsula Community Centre

For more information, contact Terry Mitchell on 0404 440 808 or 4353 4224.

Clare Graham, 10 Mar 2009 Interviewee: Nicky Younger, Ettalong Beach Press release, 9 Mar 2009 Lisa Knox, DEC Communications