International Volunteer Day 2010

The International Volunteer Day reception was held in the Garden Tea Room, Massey University, (The Old Museum) on Monday 6 December.  It was a red carpet occasion.  Guests were greeted be a wandering piano accordionist, Rebekah Grigg, as they made their way to the Art Deco Tea Room.  Michael Kelly, social historian, drew a vivid picture of early Mount Cook and its surroundings and the rise of the National Museum.  He explained that the walls and windows of the Garden Tea Room had been boxed in to create an additional art gallery as the National collection grew, concealing the beautiful and distinctive predominantly blue and yellow tiles.  People’s appetites were piqued by the delectable array of finger food prepared and graciously served by Sarah Searancke Catering Ltd.  This event honoured all volunteers whom the Cancer Society values for the indispensible work they undertake improving community wellbeing and reducing the incident and impact of cancer.  It provided an opportunity to present Gift of Time Awards.

Inspiring Volunteer Award 2010

This award is to recognise volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to the realisation of the Cancer Society’s mission through their leadership skills.  They will have instigated a service, project or programme or taken the initiative in the innovation of an established service or programme.  This year the Inspiring Volunteer Award was given to Gai Kidd:

  Gai Kidd

 A cancer survivor Gai readily used the wisdom brought about by her personal experience to benefit others, first and foremost with the earlier peer support service, Breast Cancer Support Service (BCSS).

 In 1994 she first offered herself as a volunteer visitor within the service, subsequently taking a leadership role as Chair of the local BCSS and ultimately President of BCSS nationally.

It was in this latter role when BCSS was transitioned into Cancer Connect that Gai demonstrated her ability as an agent of change.  Cancer Connect NZ is a national telephone volunteer peer support service for people living with cancer, and their caregivers.  Whatever reservations she had about this change Gai acted with good grace, good will and integrity.

 Gai was a foundation Cancer Services Guide volunteer.  This team established in 1996 assists Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre staff orientate recently diagnosed patients and their families to facilities, and familiarises them with available resources at the Cancer Society.  It is a role she shares with her husband, Rohan, a fellow volunteer.  Another shared role over the years has been that of early morning collectors for Daffodil Day on Courtenay Place. 

Gai’s good humour, generosity of spirit and curiosity are qualities she utilises in observing her own processes.  This enables her to question and challenge herself as a volunteer.  This openness to new ideas contributes to her leadership skills in the Cancer Society and no doubt to Save the Children Fund, another not-for-profit organisation, which benefits immensely from Gai’s committed service to community.

 Spirit of Volunteering Award 2010

This Award is to recognise those modest volunteer who are distinguished by the degree of their commitment and perseverance to designated tasks, their reliability, their constructive attitude to their role or roles and the high standard of their work.  These volunteers will be identified by their accommodating and genial engagement with staff and fellow volunteers and their marked loyalty to the Cancer Society. This year the Spirit of Volunteering Award was given to: Nola Edser, Terry Hall, Mr Narayan and Bryan Smith.

Terry Hall

For 21 years Terry has been a policy volunteer.  His association with the Cancer Society began with his membership of the Finance Committee in 1989.  In 2000 he was elected to the Executive Committee. 

Currently he is a member of the Finance Advisory Committee of the National Office of Cancer Society New Zealand and a member of the divisional Investment Committee.  In this capacity his discerning financial guidance over the years has been most valuable in fluctuating economic times.

Terry’s advice is always considered, timely, and delivered in an apolitical and measured way. 

Staff value his unflagging loyalty to and abiding interest in the Division and its diverse activities, demonstrated by his support for Relay For Life and Volunteer events. 

National Volunteer Awareness Week

19 to 25 June 2011

The event to mark National Volunteer Awareness Week, held at St Joseph’s Church, Wellington, was a Reflection: Volunteering – Gifts in Action. More than 60 people attended with staff and volunteers contributing to a quiet time for reflecting on the essence of volunteering and its impact.

With generosity being a hallmark of volunteering, the opportunity was taken to present a Spirit of Volunteering award to Mary Byers.

Mary Byers

Mary’s 25 years of exceptional service have been marked by her generosity of spirit, kindness and compassion. 

During this time she has touched the lives of many people affected by cancer but always in a practical, measured and respectful way.

She was among the first of the Patient and Family Support Service Volunteer Visitors on the Kapiti Coast, and for many years Mary has been, and continues to be, a driver. 

Never one to seek attention, Mary from the outset, has put the needs of others first.  Her thoughtful attentiveness and genuine caring concern have been hallmarks of her service.  She readily engages with others who quickly sense her trustworthiness and empathy.  Her good sense of humour has always been to the fore.

She has been a loyal and committed volunteer.

Mary exemplifies the true Spirit of Volunteering.