Make a New Year’s resolution to volunteer in 2015

It’s a new year, and maybe a time for new challenges. If your resolution is to give back to the community, here are a few groups that want you…

Hello sailor!

Tin Can Bay Sailability Inc has been going for many years and this last would have to have been the hardest. We lost our wonderful president, Barry, early in the year, and then our “go to” man, Stainless, was lost in a car accident.  We have soldiered on and now have a new president and committee ready for action.

Our client numbers have been steadily growing. We’ve gone from around 14 early in 2014 to over 30 every week of late. While we want to curb our numbers to 30, we can manage 35 at a pinch!

Our need in the coming year will be for volunteers to join us enjoy helping young and old disabled to experience the fun of sailing.  Our volunteers are trained by us in sail techniques – on water and off – and also in first aid, CPR, and support boat duties.

Even if you are not a sailor, we would welcome you. There are always tasks that need to be done. Please join us on a Friday morning at the Yacht Club, or phone our secretary Raewyn on 0412 995 512 any time.

Care for our coast

You can help make a difference in Cooloola Coastcare. Participate in:

• water quality monitoring
• seagrass monitoring
• adopt-a-shorebird site
• creek and wetland rehabilitation
• dune rehabilitation
• foreshore and wallum education

To find out more email: admin@cooloolacoastcare.org.au, call 0417 554 905 or visit:cooloolacoastcare.org.au.

Drive change

Drivers, office staff, fundraisers and car cleaners are all volunteers. We have a management committee of six, who are also involved in all these roles.

Cooloola Coast Medical Transport Inc.is run solely by volunteers and we rely heavily on new volunteers coming forward to ensure this vital service remains operational. Sometimes we need to find six drivers, five days a week.

Call between 8.30am and 12.30 pm, Monday to Friday on 5486 2488 or email office@ccmt.org.au.

Nourish the next generation

The aim of the kitchen garden programme is to introduce students to the wonderful world of good food by developing a productive garden and an exciting kitchen environment that will be a nurturing place to share food as an integral part of the school curriculum.

Our cooking classes are a thoroughly rewarding experience for the students. They provide them with a healthy, safe and friendly working environment, full of people wanting to participate in the joy of growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing real food.

A Work-for-the-Dole programme is starting at Rainbow Beach School in late January which will enable the school to expand the existing garden area to provide a variety of vegetables for use in cooking lessons. Cooking classes will recommence on Friday afternoons in term one, 2015 and we are looking for team leaders.

Tin Can Bay School will be looking for volunteers to work in the kitchen and garden on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

If you enjoy creating delicious recipes, working with young people and have, or are willing to apply for, a Blue Card (which is free of charge for volunteers), please contact Chappy Ronnie on 0413 135 867.

Report for duty

We are looking for unsung heroes, or to be more specific, brave men and women with exceptional ability to care for the safety of Australian mariners and recreational boaties. Whether you are an administrator or hands-on person, then we need you. We will provide all the training you need to get the job done.

We need regular members for:

• Rescue boat crew
• Marine radio operators
• Education
• Administration
• Maintenance
• Fund raising
• Public relations

If you can donate a few hours a month, please contact Tin Can Bay coastguard on 5486 4290.

Back to school

P&C (parents and citizens) meet monthly to represent the school community and provide feedback on school policy and activities. We also facilitate social and fundraising events, as well as overseeing the operation and management of the school tuckshop and uniform sales.

Generous donations of funds raised are spent on equipment and resources to enhance student learning, to support major works in the school and to provide financial assistance for school excursions and activities.

The P&C is a rewarding opportunity for you to be involved in education, meet other families and actively participate in your community.

Many hands make light work. Both schools are seeking volunteers to help in their tuckshops – Tin Can Bay tuckshop is on Wednesdays and Fridays and Rainbow Beach tuckshop is on Thursdays.

Brekky club is another a great opportunity – volunteer and fill up tummies so that kids’ brains are well fuelled for learning.

Contact the schools for more details, or attend the next meeting. Rainbow Beach P&C’s next meeting is on Tuesday February 10 at 5pm at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club.

Become a fountain of information

New recruits are urgently needed to join the Rainbow Beach Community Information and Resource Centre, as well as our committee. Can you spare just three hours a day to man the centre? They would love to see you.

We are looking for support from interested community members who would enjoy volunteer work. It is only for a short time out of your weekly activities.

Do you look good in orange?

SES is in need of volunteers and joining is quite simple. There are a few forms to fill in, and a criminal history check has to be done. Then after attending training for a three-month probationary period, you are a member. The training requirements aren’t that onerous – the basics can be covered in a few hours.

Ongoing commitments are also fairly simple. The amount of time spent on SES duties is really up to you. The tasks you do are up to you as well – if you don’t like heights, no one is going to make you climb a ladder. You’ll be valued for whatever you can contribute.

Anyone 16 or over is welcome to come along and see what we do.

Rainbow Beach: first and last Thursday of each month, at 7pm. Call Mark Lawler on 0427 033 160.

Tin Can Bay: Wednesday nights from 6pm. Call 5486 4604.

Improve the local community

This steadily growing area needs more facilities and improvements to what we already have. Groups aim to improve the local area for all residents and visitors alike, and have many volunteers keen to bring about future changes. Your voice counts. Your hands-on participation counts. Come along and add your support.

Cooloola Cove Residents and Friends Inc: meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month and membership is $15 per household. We have an enthusiastic group that takes part in all matters concerning Cooloola Cove from planting, weeding, water quality monitoring, looking after our young people and more. Call 5488 0644 or 5686 2754 to find out more.

Rainbow Beach Progress Association: Thanks to those residents and business owners who have been in contact regarding possible activities and offering their support as volunteers for the Rainbow Beach Serpent Festival. Suggestions and ideas are always welcome. Please email: kayesilich@yahoo.com.

Rainbow Beach Residents & Ratepayers Association meets at 7pm in the SES shed, on the second Tuesday of the second month. All current and prospective residents and ratepayers are most welcome.

Fire away

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) responds to:

• Structural, landscape and vehicle fire
• Road crash rescue
• Swift water and water rescue
• Storm and natural disaster;
• Building fire safety
• Hazardous condition incidents
• Land, marine, air and urban search and rescue
• Crime scene, missing person and forensic searches
• Animal disease outbreaks
• Communications

You must be at least 16 years old and have the physical and mental fitness to undertake volunteer firefighting. You should also be available for volunteer firefighter training and operations in the local area.

For further details, contact:

Rainbow Beach: 25 Rainbow Beach Road. Meetings are on Tuesday nights at 7pm.

Tin Can Bay: Fire Station, Lot 1, Snapper Creek Road. Call 5486 4918.

Respect your elders

Our volunteers make an important difference in the lives of residents at Masonic Care, Tin Can Bay. They also say that they get immense satisfaction from helping. Our volunteer programme is very flexible and allows you to donate the amount of time that suits you. Our volunteers help with:

• residents’ outings, activities and special events
• Sharing skills and hobbies (such as chess, music, reading, pool, art)
• Driving mini-buses
• Gardening and ground beautification
• Serving in our cafes, gift shops or providing mobile shopping services
• Providing library services
• Visiting residents and having a chat

As one of our valued volunteers, you’ll be part of team where you can meet new friends, develop new skills and be part of a community of caring.

All volunteers need a current police check, which we will undertake when you apply.

Find out more: 26 Coral Trout Drive, Tin Can Bay, phone: 5488 1300.

Hear me roar

The Lioness Club of Tin Can Bay fundraise for our community and provide community services.

We assist our local community in areas such as: The Masonic Home, Tin Can Bay P-10 School Breakfast Club,Lost Art Field Days, Meals on Wheels, the Gympie Muster and more.

Like to know more? Then come along to one of our meetings that are held on the second Monday of the month at Cathy House, Toolara Rd, Tin Can Bay. 9am for a 9.30am start, or call Pam Bauer on 5486 2729 or Jill Falzon on 5486 4852.

Resources and referrals

If you have a few hours a week to spare and enjoy being with other people, come in and see what we have to offer you as a volunteer. You may enjoy interaction with all sorts of people who come through the Tin Can Bay Resource & Referral Centre seeking information on both local and the surrounding areas.

We provide services such as computer lessons, computer use, secondhand book sales and free legal appointments. Why not drop in and see the friendly staff or call 5488 0035?

Old-fashioned mateship

Tin Can Bay has an active Men’s Shed at the school.You can come and have a yarn and a cuppa if that’s all you’re looking for.

Members of Men’s Sheds come from all walks of life – the bond that unites them is that they are people with time on their hands and would like to do something meaningful with that time.

Members are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace, in their own time and in the company of others. A key focus is to advance the wellbeing and health of shed members and to encourage social inclusion.

Help the community access health care

Local ambulance committees act as a voice for their community and provide valuable feedback on ambulance service delivery. If you are interested in being a member of the LAC you must be:

• Eighteen years or over
• A permanent resident of the area serviced by the Cooloola Coast ambulance station
• A permanent resident of Queensland who works in the area serviced by the Cooloola Coast ambulance station

For further information, contact the secretary on 0428 863 161.

Be an Aussie icon

Absolutely anyone can join! Have you ever thought about becoming a volunteer surf lifesaver? We need a team of skilled and supportive members to not only patrol Queensland’s beaches, but to fill a number of other important roles.

You could be a coach, official, athlete, fundraiser, supervisor for our junior activities program, committee member, radio operator, trainer and assessor or rescue boat driver.

It is the ideal time for people to volunteer – as long as you turn 13 years old before the camp begins. You can sign up on 5486 3249 for the next bronze medallion/surf rescue certificate training from January 11–18. You will get fit, acquire new skills and learn how to save a life.

The course is a nationally accredited qualification, and gives you points towards year 12, or your workplace – plus it is bucket loads of fun!

You do need a basic level of fitness – 200 metres in less than five minutes for surf rescue certification and 400 metres in less than nine minutes for your bronze.

If you aren’t this fit, you are still welcome on board. We run first aid and CPR courses and are always looking for helpers with nippers. You don’t have to get your toes wet if you don’t want to either. We even have roles for people who love to cook up a BBQ!

Justin Scooth and Shane Handy even volunteer on Christmas Day

Welcome young and old

Interested in joining the Country Women’s Association?  If so, please consider attending a couple of monthly meetings as a visitor – you do not have to join immediately – or phone the publicity officer on 5486 2726 (Telstra 101 for message), for further information.   You do not have to live in Tin Can Bay – perhaps Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove or Wallu.  The Queensland CWA provides a community service and fundraises for worthy causes – it is not just about baking scones!

The group meets in the QCWA meeting room in Whiting Street, Tin Can Bay.