During National Volunteer week (17-23rd May) children’s cancer charity Camp Quality recognises excellence in Volunteering through the annual Gillard Award. This year, Kim Anderson will be receiving not only the QLD state award but Camp Quality’s highest honour, the national Gillard award!
Kim Anderson is the Acting Nursing Director at QLD Children’s hospital and truly goes above and beyond, using her incredible skills outside of the workforce to bring joy to the lives of kids facing cancer through Camp Quality where she has been volunteering for 33 years.
Kim says it was her father passing away when she was just 13 that started her passion for helping others. Kim says,
“I always wanted to be a Paediatric Oncology nurse, knowing what my father went through, I wanted to help in any way I could. I joined Camp Quality as a companion at the age of 15 – and have been there ever since”.
Heather is a Camp Quality Mum who has experienced firsthand Kim’s incredible impact on kids and their families facing cancer. After losing her husband to cancer only a few months ago, her son Josh was struggling with anxiety and grief over the loss of his dad. Heather says,
“Speaking with Kim gave me instant relief. I didn’t feel like we had to hide how hard life is because without too many words, Kim just completely understood. She made me feel unconditionally accepted and like we can get through the next part of the cancer journey.”
Heather says, “Josh never leaves my side now that his father has died, but with Kim’s support he stayed at a Camp Quality Kids Camp from Friday until the end of camp on Sunday. That was a huge, amazing step for both him and me.”
Camp Quality Family Program Coordinator Rebekka Calder says Kim’s tireless support for Camp Quality has had a major impact during COVID-19.
“Kim brought a wealth of knowledge from her role at QLD Children’s Hospital and was able to ensure our first kids camp post COVID was extremely safe and clean while still instilling fun in her role on Camp. In a stage where our medical personnel across Australia have been stretched already in their day jobs QLD couldn’t think of a more worthy nominee for the 2021 Gillard award – Thank you Kim!”
Established in 2011 the Gillard award acknowledges a volunteer in each state who has gone above and beyond to dedicate their time and energy to bringing smiles to the faces of Australian kids impacted by cancer.
To find out more about volunteering at Camp Quality go to www.campquality.org.au/volunteer