By Jess Baker
Last week, Warwick celebrated National Volunteer Week with a morning tea, a sausage sizzle, and a surprise visit from country music singer Adam Brand.
During a formal celebration of Warwick Rodeo and Show Society volunteers at the showgrounds on Thursday, Adam Brand – who was touring at the time – came to say hello to local volunteers and express his thanks for the work they do.
“Volunteers are people who are passionate about something and who give their time for free,” Adam said.
“I understand the importance of what they do.”
Adam said that his profession depends on the work of volunteers, as the hosts of the radio stations that play country music are often volunteers themselves.
Show and Rodeo Society president Gerard O’Leary and marketing and events coordinator Teilah Mckelvey thanked the Society’s volunteers for their selfless service.
“The last 12 months for the Show and Rodeo Society have been a pretty tough time,” Gerard said.
“I think all the members and volunteers here should be proud … of what they’ve done over the years.”
Celebrations continued for Southern Downs and Granite Belt volunteers at Leslie Park, where Southern Downs Regional Council hosted a barbecue in their honour.
Ken and Bernadette Hartnett and Kay Wilson, who have volunteered with the Warwick branch of the Cancer Council for decades combined, said it was great to be able to celebrate their efforts with each other.
Kay has been with the organisation for 20 years and said volunteering is, to her, all about camaraderie and friendship.
“I’m still with (the Cancer Council) and I will always be with them,” she said.
“We just have a lot of fun. It can be a lot of work, but we have fun.”
Both Ken and Kay have lost loved ones to cancer, and said the work they do with the Cancer Council is close to their hearts.
Stanthorpe also hosted a Volunteer Week barbecue event at Weeroona Park on Friday 21 May.
