VOLUNTEERING as a Jimboomba rural firefighter comes with an enormous sense of satisfaction.
This is the case for fire warden and second officer James Scholl who is just one among a team of community champions giving a little time to change the Jimboomba community for the better.
He was first asked to join as an auxiliary 12 years ago by captain Bernie Savage and never looked back.
“The rural fire side of things takes up a reasonable amount of time and so does being a fire warden,” Mr Scholl said.
“We do this to keep the community safe.”
Mr Scholl is just one of more than 980,000 Queensland volunteers whose efforts will be celebrated during National Volunteer Week from May 21 to 27.
The 2018 Queensland Volunteering Awards ceremony will be held on May 25 to recognise outstanding volunteers at Brisbane City Hall from 10am.
Volunteering Queensland CEO Mara Basanovic said the event would pay tribute to caring individuals who demonstrate compassion, commitment and hard work in their communities.
Mr Scholl said it was important for people to realise it takes a team effort to create meaningful change in communities.
“I couldn’t do my job by myself and no-one else here could do it by themselves either. It is a team effort,” he said.
“Everyone here volunteers and does a wonderful job. They try their hardest and do what they have to do.
“It is something I enjoy. I am aware of the dangers and as long as I am able to I will keep doing it.”
For details on National Volunteer Week events visit the website volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw.
