The Queensland Branch of the Order of Australia Association presented President Gail Bonser with a 2021 Senior Volunteer Award at a black tie dinner in Brisbane on 21 March. The award was one of three made to volunteers who have made a significant difference to their communities across the state during the past year. The award comprises a plaque and a citation.
The citation reads as follows:
“Gail Bonser has given years of voluntary service to the University of the Third Age (U3A), Southern Gold Coast, initiating and implementing a wide range of governance improvements.
A significant achievement was the expansion program into areas where large numbers of retirees reside.
During COVID restrictions, Gail ensured that those members who were over the border were properly catered for.
Gail is a life member of the Tugun Theatre. As a non-thespian, Gail ran the support team for many years to ensure that the theatre presented a pleasant experience to all attendees.
Gail is an avid reader and is president of the Friends of the Tweed Heads Library.
Gail is a past Councillor and Deputy Mayor of the Town of Cottesloe, WA.
Gail devotes her life to supporting people in her community.
She has been and remains an inspiration to generations of women as a thoughtful individual who throughout her life…. Always looked out for others.
Gail is certainly worthy of a 2021 Senior Volunteer Award.”
Although not mentioned in the citation, her work on behalf of Network Queensland over recent years was also raised in her nomination.