Colombian-born Isabel Giraldo is now a step closer to being a registered doctor in Australia, thanks to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). Isabel needed to improve her English to ensure that she was able to pass the Occupational English Test and continue towards her dream of working as a GP in Australia.

Brisbane Bayside State College student, Raelene has completed the CHC24015 Certificate II in Active volunteering through our Students as Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI).

During National Volunteer Week, 21-27 May, the 2018 Queensland Volunteering Awards were held to honour the inspiring endeavours of hundreds of volunteers, volunteer managers, volunteer-involving organisations and businesses that invest in employee volunteering programs, to bring about positive change in our community.

Parklands Christian College year 11 student, Joshua has completed the CHC24015 Certificate II in Active volunteering through our Students as Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI).

The Queensland Police Service South Brisbane District Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) Program has been nominated for the Queensland Volunteering Awards for its positive impact on the community.

Sailability Brisbane has been nominated for the Queensland Volunteering Awards for its positive impact on the community. The organisation provides sailing for people with all types and levels of disability in order to bring enjoyment, encourage development and provide a broader life experience.

After 50 years of community involvement, an outstanding volunteer has been nominated for the Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award for his vital work. Throughout his life, John Horton, 75, has volunteered consistently in various capacities and for the last five years has visited isolated older men, weekly, as part of ‘Circle of Men’ at the Wellington Park Aged Care facility.

Starting at just 10 years old, an inspiring young volunteer has been nominated for the Youth Volunteering Award for his work with the World's Biggest Garage Sale. Tobey Thompson, 13, has helped during the organisation and planning of the big event in 2015 and 2017.

After overseeing and ensuring the safety of hundreds of pilots, aircrew, ground support crew, and fire crews, an extraordinary volunteer has been nominated for the Volunteer of the Year Award. Since 2007, Mark Doble, 47, has made a lasting impact on aviation capability across the state through his involvement in the development and delivery of a number of specialist air operations training packages as well as his commitment to support air operations through emergencies.

As you go to sleep tonight and every night in a safe secure home, think of the thousands of young people experiencing homelessness who are out on the street alone, sleeping in a park or couch surfing in someone’s living room.

After looking after generations of members and nippers, an outstanding volunteer has been nominated for the Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award for her vital work at her local surf club. Since 1953, Lorraine Buhk, 80, has been volunteering with Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club and helping at a local, state, national and international level.

Bianca (or better known to her friends as Cozi) is a Year 12 student from Everton Park State School who has completed the CHC24015 Certificate II in Active volunteering through our Students as Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI). Only 20 hours was required to complete the course; however Cozi volunteered over 100 hours of her time!

Mt Maria College Year 12 student Blake is completing a CHC24015 Certificate II in Active volunteering through our Students as Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI). Blake volunteers in the Religious Education Department at the school where he undertakes a variety of tasks that include designing labels for the 'care to cook' project, making flyers and bagging food and delivery to the local parish.

Vision Australia is a leading national provider of blindness and low-vision services in Australia. Vision Australia works to support Australians who are blind or have low vision, to help them maintain independence, overcome challenges and live their best life.

Nathanial is a Year 10 student from Parklands Christian College who is enrolled in the CHC24015 Certificate II in Active Volunteering through our Students As Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI). Nathanial loves sport and has a passion for giving back to his sporting community. He has dedicated time to volunteering at the Jimboomba Little Athletics Centre where he undertakes a variety of tasks including coaching younger athletes.

During National Volunteer Week, 8-14 May, the 2017 Queensland Volunteering Awards were held to acknowledge the efforts of thousands of volunteers, volunteer managers, and volunteer-involving organisations in bringing about positive change within their communities. The awards presentation and recognition ceremony was held on Friday 12 May in the Brisbane Room of Brisbane City Hall.

Cheyenne is a Year 12 student from Ipswich State High School who is completing a CHC34015 Certificate III in Active volunteering through our Students As Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI). Cheyenne loves to help others and brighten up their day. She has dedicated time to volunteering at The Animal Welfare League, Cityhope Care and Tarampa Lodge. One of her most memorable experiences has been playing with the kittens at The Animal Welfare League.

Mt Maria College Petrie Year 12 student Linzi is completing a CHC24015 Certificate II in Active volunteering through our Students As Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI). Linzi is a student that approaches volunteering with vigour, excitement and joy.  She has been volunteering her time at Riding for the Disabled Association Queensland (RDAQ) where she assists children with disabilities interact with horses and leads the horses around.

Murrumba State Secondary College Year 11 student Amba is completing a CHC34015 Certificate III in Active volunteering through our Students As Active Volunteers Initiative (SAAVI). Amba is enjoying working towards the certificate and has completely embraced volunteering, both as a subject and as a philosophy. She has been volunteering at neighbouring Undurba Primary School helping year 5 students with their reading. She enjoys reading to them when they are behaving, otherwise it can provide her with a bit of a challenge.

Lilian McDougall is amazing - she has supported her community daily since 1997. For Lillian volunteering provided a means to push forward in life when she was at her lowest: “After I lost my husband, I thought I could do one of two things; sit back and do nothing, or go and do something worthwhile. I chose to volunteer.”