Power 100 great, now how about one for volunteers?

THREE significant events have happened over the past weeks and I think we need to take a look at the tragic death of an infant ‘Tears by the Sea’, (GCB 20/11), the Bulletin’s call, Put your hand up or stop whingeing’ (GCB 15/11) and the Bulletin’s, Gold Coast Power 100.

Wendy Coe’s letter ‘I did nothing and I will regret it until the day I die’, (GCB 21/11) gave us a heartfelt example of those who work silently in the community and the challenges facing people who choose to serve the community and who always want to do more, however they become tired of carrying the heavy burden day after day where solutions are not always available.

I cried when I read Ms Coe’s letter and I am sure it brought tears to the eyes of the many thousands who read every word and understood her feelings. Ms Coe is one of the tireless community volunteers in our city.

Some say there can be no higher honour than to serve the public as an elected representative in a paid position, however the Bulletin overlooks community service where ordinary folks attend school tuck shops, deliver meals on wheels, volunteer at the local footy club or supervise junior sport along with the unsung thousands who volunteer across a range of community organisations starved for funding and relying on community generosity.

As well as these tireless volunteers, we have community groups determined to see the Gold Coast as a place for all rather than the few via their activities in opposing issues that they believe are not in the broad public interest.

They should not be condemned for their solutions, views or activities as freedom of speech is vitally important in a functioning democracy.

For the Gold Coast to be an inclusive city, rather than to use the word when it suits us, we must address the imbalance in recognition of those who truly serve the community, the quiet achievers.

I have great admiration for those selected in this year’s Gold Coast Power 100 (you never know I may make it one year), however the disproportionate focus on the Power 100 does nothing to foster inclusiveness across the city. It divides us between the recognised and the thousands of silent achievers volunteering their precious time. I ask, can the Gold Coast Bulletin have a yearly Community 100 made up of deserving volunteers that work day and night and go unrecognised for their time and dedication to making the City of Gold Coast the very best place to work, live and enjoy?

The awards could be presented on International Volunteering day each December.