Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame Award was first introduced at the 2005 AGM and Volunteers Conference. The purpose of the Award is to publicly recognise a volunteer who had made a significant contribution to Make-A-Wish Australia.
At the 2007 AGM and Volunteers Conference the Award was renamed the Aidan McCann Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame Award in honour of former wish child and Melbourne branch volunteer, Aidan McCann, who lost his battle with cystic fibrosis in late 2006. Aidan was one of the inductees in 2007 in acknowledgement of his passion for the cause.
2012
Christine Hodge (Mandurah-Rockingham Branch)
Christine Hodge, from the Mandurah-Rockingham Branch of Make-A-Wish, is the Aidan McCann Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame recipient in 2012.
Christine has been an active member of the Mandurah-Rockingham Branch since 2003, during which time she has built and maintained many relationships with local supporters and contacts, welcomed new volunteers to the branch, assisted in opening the Wishing You Well store among other achievements.
Congratulations Christine!
2011
Yvonne Nurnberger (Mackay Branch)
Yvonne Nurnberger, from Mackay Branch of Make-A-Wish, was announced as the 2011 'Aidan McCann' Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame recipient.
Yvonne has been volunteering with Make-A-Wish for over 20 years and is the longest serving member of the Mackay Branch. During her time volunteering, she has taken on multiple roles at the Branch to help build and maintain relationships with local supporters and contacts in Mackay and the surrending region.
Her tireless dedication and commitment to Make-A-Wish has been recognised when she recieved an Order of Australian Medial.
Yvonne has impressed Make-A-Wish staff and other volunteers with her fundraising efforts and strong leadership skills when she took on the role of Branch President for five years.
Congratulations Yvonne, you are a worthy recipient of the 2011 'Aidan McCann' Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame Award.
2010
Joan Fawdry (Burnie Branch)
Joan Fawdry from the Burnie Branch was the worthy winner of the 2010 "Aidan McCann Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame announced at the 2010 AGM and Volunteers Conference held on the weekend.
Joan has been a volunteer with the Foundation for almost ten years and has held the President's role at the Burnie Branch for most of this time. This is testament to both her dedication and her strong leadership skills.
Her work with Make-A-Wish was recognised by the Burnie City Council in 2002 and then again in 2007 in 'Volunteer Legends' for her tireless work in the Burnie community.
Joan has built strong relationships with many local businesses and organisations including Burnie Bendigo Bank, ANZ, Westpac, many local schools, local parliamentarians, the Mayor and the Advocate newspaper. Under Joan's 'care' many of these businesses and individuals have now come on board to support Make-A-Wish.
The strong presence of Make-A-Wish in Burnie and the surrounding region has been fostered and developed by Joan.
The Burnie Branch do an outstanding job in fundraising. This has largely been due to Joan establishing and maintaining a loyal band of major supporters and media contacts. Over the nine years that Joan has lead the Branch they have raised just under $400,000 for the Foundation. This is also testament to Joan's strong leadership skills as she has kept her volunteers highly motivated and enthused.
Congratulations Joan, you are a worthy recipient of the 2010 'Aidan McCann' Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame Award.
2009
Frank Jackowiak (Adelaide Branch)
Frank Jackowiak from Adelaide Branch was announced as the 2009 'Aidan McCann' Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame recipient at the 2009 AGM and Volunteers Conference held last weekend.
Frank has made a significant contribution to Make-A-Wish Australia over the years. He was a founding member and instigator of the Adelaide Branch, has been a tireless, dedicated and committed volunteer for over 23 years, a positive inspiration and role model to existing volunteers, new volunteers and Make-A-Wish staff, has served as a Director of Make-A-Wish Australia, held numerous positions within the Adelaide Branch during his tenure and continually networks and fundraises for Make-A-Wish including during overseas and interstate holidays
In the words of two of the Adelaide volunteers:
"Frank has been involved with the Adelaide Branch of Make-A-Wish for over twenty three years. His enthusiasm for the Foundation never wanes, sometimes I wonder how he finds time to make a living and have a successful business as he never stops working tirelessly for the branch."
"Frank as a volunteer is always someone you can count on, always going the extra mile. I just wish you could see the tireless amount of volunteering that Frank does for the Foundation and always with such good spirit. He will drop everything at any time to attend functions, grant wishes or source prizes. His commitment is amazing."
Congratulations Frank, you are a worthy recipient of the 2009 'Aidan McCann' Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame Award.
2008
Pat Russell (Bundaberg Branch)
Pat Russell, President of Make-A-Wish Australia's Bundaberg Branch was inducted into the Aidan McCann Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame at the 2008 AGM and Volunteers Conference.
Pat is a worthy recipient of this year's award, having been a volunteer with Make-A-Wish for 14 years and President of the Bundaberg Branch for 12 years. This is a testament to both her dedication and her strong leadership skills.
Earlier this year Pat received nominations for Australian of the Year and the Premier's Award for Queensland Seniors. This was in large partly due to her tireless and selfless work with Make-A-Wish Australia and illustrates how she is perceived within the community.
Make-A-Wish currently has a very strong presence in Bundaberg and the surrounding region which has been fostered and developed by Pat and she was instrumental in the establishment of the Fraser Coast Branch (QLD).
The Bundaberg Branch is an extremely successful fundraising branch and this has been due largely to Pat establishing and maintaining a loyal band of major supporters and media contacts.
Pat is seen as a great role model for other volunteers, being a great source of knowledge and she is never hesitant to share this knowledge.
As one of the 29 volunteers at the Bundaberg Branch recently said of Pat, 'Attending meetings which are held regularly on a monthly basis is a very pleasant experience as Pat is always the first to arrive and greets each volunteer thus making you feel that you are a most important part of the organisation and that the meeting would not be the same without you. You are encouraged to take part in all discussions and are never made to feel that your contribution is of little consequence.'
Congratulations Pat from everybody in the Make-A-Wish Australia family!
2007
Sylvia Rouleston (Hobart Branch)
Volunteers represent the 'human face' of Make-A-Wish Australia. They support Make-A-Wish in myriad ways, and every single one of them is special. However each year, at the annual AGM and volunteers conference, at least one of our fabulous volunteers is inducted into the Make-A-Wish Australia Hall of Fame.
In 2007, there were two recipients of the award. Firstly, former wish child and Melbourne branch volunteer, Aidan McCann, who lost his battle with cystic fibrosis late last year, was honoured with a Hall of Fame induction. As further acknowledgment of his passion for the cause, the award was then renamed in his honour.
The first recipient of the Aidan McCann award was the amazing Sylvia Rouleston, President of the Hobart Branch. Sylvia was recognised for her significant contribution to Make-A-Wish Australia which includes:
• Strong leadership of a very successful volunteer branch for 16 years
• Introducing Robyn Moore, the Make-A-Wish Australia National Patron
• Raising the profile and awareness of Make-A-Wish Australia in Hobart and the surrounding region
In an emotional speech, Sylvia paid tribute to Aidan. "He was a wonderful young man who lived his life to the full, while also having time to give of himself so that other children's lives could be filled with a little joy. I feel so privileged to be the first recipient of this award in his name."
2006
Rosa-Lee Pisani (Port Pirie Branch)
At the 2006 Annual General Meeting and National Volunteers Conference, Rosa-Lee Pisani was inducted into the 'Make-A-Wish Hall of Fame.' Rosa-Lee is currently the President of the Port Pirie Branch in South Australia.
Some of Rosa-Lee's achievements included:
fostering the development of two South Australian Make-A-Wish branches, Whyalla and Yorke Peninsula.
Acting as a mentor to other South Australian branch Presidents and volunteers.
Establishing South Australian volunteer conferences together with another volunteer.
Providing strong leadership to the Port Pirie Branch – a small Branch but one that is huge in terms of passion and commitment owing to Rosa-Lee's contagious enthusiasm.
Being an ambassador for the Foundation in her local community.
From all of us at the Make-Wish of Australia, congratulations Rosa-Lee!
2005
Mary Hipkins (Gold Coast Branch)
Mary Hipkins was the Make-A-Wish Australia's inaugural recipient of its Hall of Fame Award.
Having served as a volunteer with the Gold Coast Branch for 15 years, Mary's enthusiastic commitment to the Foundation in her role as Hosting Coordinator has inspired volunteers, staff and the community alike.
Hosting coordinators greet local and international wish families at their destination and are the main point of contact during their stay.
With Gold Coast Theme Parks being a popular destination for wish children and their families, Mary and her fantastic team of hosts are kept busy ensuring each and every child's wish experience is unique and memorable.
Congratulations Mary!