QBANK Celebrates Young Everyday Heroes
Ahead of the 2023 QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards on Friday 27 October 2023, we celebrate our 22 finalists across 6 categories. Today, we look at the three finalists in the 'Young Hero' category. This category celebrates a young person who has demonstrated admirable contribution to their community.
Georgia Glentworth - Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
MORETON BAY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER AN EVERYDAY HERO FINALIST
A young volunteer firefighter and fearless fundraiser who found her passion with the Closeburn Rural Fire Brigade has been recognised for her dedication to bettering her community as a finalist in the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards. Georgia Glentworth is one of 22 finalists selected from across the state for the awards which celebrate the exceptional achievements of people within Queensland Police, Fire, Health, Ambulance, Corrections, Justice, Public Service, Education and volunteers. She is one of three finalists in the Young Everyday Hero category.
The 18-year-old said she joined the Closeburn Rural Fire Brigade after aging out of the Australian Army Cadets. “After leaving my role as the training officer for my unit, much of my week that was usually devoted to running the training for the unit became empty, and for the first time in a long while, I felt without a purpose not serving my community,” Georgia said. “After a very rough start to the year, members of the brigade devoted personal time to ensuring my wellbeing, and joining the brigade became a natural step.”
“Along with the active preparation and prevention for fire season, I also regularly turn out to wildfire, road traffic crashes, Hazard Reduction Burns (HRBs) and creek rescues, but our primary role is assisting QFES, QPS and QAS at incidents.”
Georgia said she was proud to also take part in fundraising activities like Starlight Super Swim, Run Army and World’s Greatest Shave. She said it was an honour to be named a finalist in the awards. “I don’t think anyone should go into volunteer work with an expectation of anything other than personal satisfaction in knowing your contribution to the community, however, it’s always nice to feel appreciated.”
“I am overjoyed that my work has made a positive impact on the community.” Georgia said she most enjoyed the determination and sense of mateship that came with working with the RFS, and ability to push her mental fortitude, leadership ability and physical skills to the limits, all while
having fun with mates. “Knowing that I am actively contributing to the safety of my house, my family, pets, friends and my pets is by far the most rewarding part of the job,” she said.
“Beyond family, there is nothing more important to me than bettering my community and ensuring I contribute what I have to offer.”
Jonesy Cairncross - Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
YOUNG LOGAN VOLUNTEER A FINALIST IN EVERYDAY HEROES AWARDS
A young Ipswich volunteer who is a role model for other local youth has been recognised for his passion to help others and commitment to his community as a finalist in the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards. Jonesy Cairncross is one of 22 finalists selected from across the state for the awards which celebrate the exceptional achievements of people within Queensland Police, Fire, Health, Ambulance, Corrections, Justice, Public Service, Education and volunteers. He is one of three finalists in the Young Everyday Hero category.
Mr Cairncross, born and raised in Logan, joined the SES at just 16-years-old and primarily works within search and rescue as a field officer. He said being a part of the SES gave him a purpose and made him more confident. “Before I joined the SES I had no idea what I wanted to do in life, after joining the SES It gave me an overwhelming sense of fulfillment knowing I was making a difference in the world,” he said. “Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you helped and made a positive difference.”
Mr Cairncross was nominated by two of his colleagues who highlighted some of his heroic efforts, including performing life-saving CPR at a public event, assisting a fellow volunteer during a severe asthma attack, and rescuing numerous bushwalkers on overnight recovery activations.
The young volunteer said it was an honour to be named a finalist. “I am extremely exalted to have been recognized by my peers and look forward to returning my gratitude through continued commitment and hard work for the SES,” Mr Cairncross said. “It’s definitely a challenge to be in the SES when you’re younger and I hope I can inspire more young people to join the SES.”
Mr Cairncross is currently completing a Cert IV in Training and Assessment to train other volunteers and said and said he was proud to serve his community. “Seeing communities help each other always warms my heart, and it’s always nice to go home and know that you made a positive contribution,” Mr Cairncross said. “The uniqueness of the work you’re performing and the stories and experience you get to share is amazing.”
Tom Price - Volunteer
YOUNG BRISBANE MENTAL HEALTH WARRIOR AN EVERYDAY HERO FINALIST
A young volunteer passionate about supporting those battling mental health struggles has been recognised for his efforts as a finalist in the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards. Mental Health advocate and volunteer Tom Price is one of 22 finalists selected from across the state for the awards which celebrate the exceptional achievements of people within Queensland Police, Fire, Health, Ambulance, Corrections, Justice, Public Service, Education and volunteers. The 18-year-old is one of three finalists in the Young Everyday Hero category.
Tom founded the youth mental health organisation “You Are Not Alone,” in 2021 as a high school student to raise awareness around mental health through social media. “I found myself struggling with poor mental health and started to see other young people around me struggling,” he said. “Despite mental health affecting people so deeply, no one was talking about it, and I decided I would do something to start the conversation.”
The organisation hosts community awareness events, presents to cohorts in high schools across south east Queensland, and produces online content about mental health on social media. One of their videos, produced with Queensland Police Service, is used in police recruit training, and their fundraising events, attended by more than 2000, has raised more than $37,000 for lifeline in 2022, and a further $32,000 to support You Are Not Alone school programs in 2023.
Tom said it was rewarding to give back to his community and use his passion to create change. “The feedback we hear from young people and their families reminds us just how important our work is and really motivates us to keep doing what we are doing,” he said.
“You Are Not Alone is a big project and it is one which takes a passionate team. We would not be where we are without the support of so many young people.”
Tom said he was honoured to be named a finalist for a QBANK Everyday Hero award. “I'm glad that my nomination will help to raise awareness for You Are Not Alone so that we can continue to grow the conversation.”
“You Are Not Alone will continue to expand and to grow our school programs into 2024 and beyond. We are working towards building rural programs to support remote communities, and will continue to build on our current South East Queensland school programs too.”
