ken@qccn.org.au

Leaving the shores of Southampton as a 12 year old, Ken was the eldest of 4 to land in Australia with his parents. His memories of growing up in Sydney are the simple pleasures in life, like fishing and camping and photography. He has a fairly extensive collection from his first prized box brownie, something Ken still enjoys today. Ken’s background has been in sales and credit management till he started his own building and lattice-work business in Rockhampton which he had for 10 years before settling in Brisbane and starting in 1997 with Queensland Community Care Network Inc.

Ken is the Administration Manager for Queensland Community Care Network Inc., looking after all facets of accounting and operations. He has studied frontline management, communications and personal development and is in the process of furthering his accounting education this year. Sounds like a busy year, what do you do in your spare time we inquired, “A lot of juggling this year I think, as well as renovating and if possible a spot of fishing. Luckily because Jill and I work together, it makes it so much easier to understand and be flexible; we see working at QCCN as a lifestyle rather than a nine to five position".

Since 1997 Ken has found many changes in aged care and the attitudes shift towards a greater community involvement. “I think the role of the volunteer has more emphasis for the larger populace now than ever before, and the government have given credence to many volunteers that give of themselves to others. The year of the Volunteer had a large and positive impact for many organisations that run volunteers. We are a diverse culture, and together I think we form a caring nation. Working in aged care is a wonderful example of both diversity and care…after all we are a reflection of our tomorrows, today” 

jill@qccn.org.au

Jill has worked for Queensland Community Care Network Inc. since March of 1998, and before that held a position as a board member. Jill has a passion for age care with a special interest in dementia. In discussion with Jill she says, "The role of a volunteer is crucial to enhancing and creating a better place for our aging population, together we make a better place when we give with our heart".

Today Jill looks after Community Visitor’s Scheme, newsletters and all training and support to volunteers and aged care homes with the help and support of fellow staff members and a very active board. When we asked Jill how she saw the future of Queensland Community Care Network Inc and the world of volunteering, she smiled and said, “I see a lot of very caring people who make a huge difference to our aged, getting older is going to be a wonderful journey for us all. We really do get back what we give”.

kazzisi@bigpond.net.au

2000 saw Karen make the move to Warwick, the place she now calls home; however moving to a smaller community did not mean less volunteer roles for Karen, it meant more. Karen took on a voluntary position as secretary for the now defunct 8th Warwick Scouts and now splits her time to volunteering at her son's school tuckshop and also holds the voluntary position of Club registrar for Warwick soccer club.

On hearing of the opportunity to act as rural support officer for Queensland Community Care Network and the Community Visitor’s Scheme she jumped at the chance; "I honestly love volunteering, and to be able to help other people volunteer is one of the best ways I feel I can give back to my community."

chrisescreet@hotmail.com

Chris owned the service station for six and a half years and enjoyed the wide open space of Yuleba, her favourite pastime being horse riding and mustering; however when her husband started work in Roma she decided to move to the medium smoke to be with him. Reluctantly, they sold their block of land and relocated.

In Roma, Chris was introduced to Blue Care and she began volunteering with them for a period with whom she volunteered with. Chris applied for a position at Roma Middle School and loves the daily challenge of working with children. As if this was not enough for Chris to do in one day, she also took on the position as rural coordinator for Queensland Community Care Network. Chris has been the rural coordinator for Roma for more than eight years and still loves it. When asked what she thought the best part of her job was she replied "The volunteers that I have and yes I call them my volunteers are the most wonderful and giving people. The inspire me and show me the power of rural communities"

kieran@qccn.org.au

Although Rockhampton is not a small town, Kieran still longed for a place where not everyone knows your name and in his teens moved with his parents to Brisbane. Brisbane life suited Kieran and he soon fell in love with the busy urban lifestyle. While completing high school, Kieran studied under his sister in her hairdressing salon was a fully qualified hairdresser at 19. During this time, Kieran also got his first taste of the Community Visitors Scheme and designed one of the original websites for QCCN.

In 2003 Kieran decided to pursue a career with a chance at further advancement and began his Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Advertising; he completed this in 2007. 2007 was also the year that Kieran re-joined QCCN, using his Advertising and Public Relations background; Kieran attempts to connect with potential volunteers and educate them on volunteering in aged care homes. (For more information on this click here!)