Every week of the year, thousands of volunteers give their valuable time to ensure Queenslanders are provided with the best available care. Last year the Premier, Anna Bligh, announced the State government's Toward Q2 policy that sets out a plan for building the Queensland of tomorrow.

One of the major goals of the Toward Q2 plan is to develop a fair Queensland by supporting safe and caring communities. We hope to achieve this goal by increasing the proportion of Queenslanders involved in their communities as volunteers by 50%.

For this reason, I have decided to make 2010 my Year of the Volunteer across the Cairns region, by showing off all the hard work that our wonderful volunteers carry out in the community. I am keen to assist not-for-profit and volunteer groups by promoting the activity of volunteering and matching potential volunteers to the area that suits them.

Individuals interested in getting involved are encouraged to find a group from the following lists and start volunteering today!

Aged and Youth Services

Community Services

Conservation Groups

Sport and Recreation Groups
Social Groups and Community Organisations

If you are involved with a community organisation that is looking for volunteers, contact me on 4038 2800 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a registration form.

I'd also like to tell you about a great organisation that helps to assist in finding the right volunteer position for you. FNQ Volunteers is a Cairns based, not-for-profit community organisation that recruits and refers volunteers into positions within other not-for-profit community organisations throughout Far North Queensland.

Each year, over 1,000 volunteers are referred into volunteering to over 100 not-for-profit community member organisations throughout the FNQ region.

Join up and become one of the many millions of volunteers all over the world helping to create connected communities.

Be Involved: Volunteer in Community Projects in Far North Queensland - go to: www.fnqvolunteers.org/

Further information for groups and volunteers is available by following the links to the GoVolunteer website below.