Camp Quality announces the winner of the Dick Gillard national award for volunteering excellence

28 September 2011

Camp Quality has created an annual award to recognize excellence in volunteering. The new award was launched on April 1, 2011 to coincide with the International Volunteer of the Year in 2011 and as part of Camp Quality's national volunteer strategy. The Gillard Family Grant recognises the 20 year contribution of former Board member Dick Gillard to Camp Quality.

The purpose of the award is to acknowledge Camp Quality volunteers from across the country who live the culture of optimism and resilience and demonstrate their commitment to Camp Quality in their volunteer role.

Each local team and functional team can nominate volunteers within their team that demonstrate Camp Quality values and live the Camp Quality culture of optimism, resilience and hope.

This year, nominations were accepted from families, volunteers and key stakeholders who wanted to contribute to the recognition of our volunteers within local, functional and specialist volunteer teams.

This year's inaugural winner, nominated by the Northern NSW team, is Dr George Forgan-Smith.

Since his first camp as doctor in 2008 he has consistently made himself available for support at many camps, including as camp doctor at a recent ski camp for the South Queenslandd team. Dr George moved to Melbourne last year but still takes the time to travel to camp at least twice a year. His passion for medicine and volunteering have led him to becoming involved as a doctor on the Volunteers Medical Working Party managed under Camp Quality's commitment to OH&S excellence.  His contributions to this group are to ensure that Camp Quality reaches the highest possible standards in medical care and safety for our children and families and minimise risk. Dr George has also agreed to trial the new procedures at the next Coffs Harbour Camp, which is being held this month.

Being a medical volunteer comes with much responsibility, however the thing we love about George is his ability to embrace all that is fun and silly whilst being a doctor at the same time.