NOOSA local and dedicated volunteer Judith Murray has spent more than 30 years devoting her time to Endeavour Foundation, and now her efforts have been recognised with an Honorary Life Membership.
Endeavour Foundation board director Suzie Thorpe said Judith was the essence of what the foundation was founded on; incredibly generous people giving of themselves for the betterment of those with disabilities.
“She deserves more than her Honorary Life Membership, as without the ‘Judiths’ of our organisation, we would never have the service to disabilities we have now,” she said.
Judith said while she was happy to receive the reward, it was really a team effort.
“The only way that I have been able to do the work that I have done for the organisation, is with the help of a great group of volunteers,” she said.
Judith has continually had a heart for charitable causes, after moving to Noosa Heads in the late ’80s she was elected as sub-branch president and helped run the op shop that was originally based on Weyba Road but later moved to Gympie Terrace, Noosaville.
Judith also arranged donations for Sylvania School, which was the Endeavour Foundation school in Nambour, educating children with a disability until 1988.
“I really enjoyed my involvement with the children from the school and spending time with them at the picnics each Christmas, and going on bus trips to the Spring Valley farm,” Judith said.
“I also really liked visiting various Endeavour Foundation services on the coast, where they made items, as it was very interesting watching everyone enjoying their work.”
Judith and her team of volunteers continued to spread the word and tirelessly fundraise for Endeavour Foundation, through numerous golf and bridge days, book sales, street stalls, raffles, fashion parades, morning teas with guest speakers and other methods.
The volunteers would sell raffle tickets and stocked street stalls with craft items and home cooking.
“Over the years, I have developed great memories of the many volunteers, including two people who were over 85, who would deliver the rags to garages. There were dedicated volunteers, who worked each week for over 20 years, and other important people, ‘the relievers’, who could fill roster vacancies,” she said.
Judith’s workload didn’t ease when she took on the role of overseeing the Tewantin Recycled Clothing Store in 1998. While there, she received and sorted through donations and delivery stock, organised prices, tidied the store, and attended to the paperwork, among other roles.
She also wore the hat of roster clerk, which meant she had to work out volunteer spots to fill, and if Judith had no luck in finding volunteers – she would fill in.
Endeavour Foundation has more than 1200 volunteers who are at the backbone of its operations. They work at its retail and industry sites and share their skills with people with a disability who work or access support at the organisation.
Anyone interested in volunteering can visit www.endeavour.com.au for more information.
