Award winning volunteers

Two of PCYC Queensland’s exceptional volunteers won awards during this year’s National Volunteer Week (15 to 21 May 2023).

Braking the Cycle (BTC) volunteer 81-year-old retired plant operator Paul Wright was presented with the 2023 Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award by Volunteering Queensland Patron Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland in City Hall, Brisbane. ‘Paulie’ had clocked up more than 10,000 hours with the program and helped 159 young people get their driver’s license.

At the opposite end of Queensland and in age was 17-year-old Taryn Woodard, winner of the Volunteering North Queensland 2023 Youth Volunteer of the Year award. She was presented the award by the Mayor of Townsville, Jenny Hill, at a Mayoral Civic Reception.

Taryn's journey from a shy 12-year-old to a confident Cadet Leader rank is truly inspiring. She is an exceptional young member of our Charters Towers Emergency Services Cadets Unit, volunteering at 90% of our events, mentoring younger cadets, and being selected for prestigious programs like PCYC's ESCape Week. She's also made a significant impact as a local Youth Development Group Councillor, helping establish the first female football team in Charters Towers.