National Volunteers Week is an opportunity to recognise the important role volunteers play in strengthening communities, reducing social isolation and supporting wellbeing across Queensland.
At Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland, we know volunteering is about much more than giving back. For many older people, volunteering creates purpose, builds confidence, strengthens social connections and supports healthy ageing.
Celsie Mead’s story is a wonderful example of this.
Growing up on a remote rural property in Central Queensland during the 1950s and 60s, Celsie learned from an early age the value of community contribution and helping others. Inspired by parents who were deeply involved in their local community, volunteering became something woven into her life from childhood.
After retiring from the workforce in 2011, Celsie missed the social connection, learning opportunities and sense of purpose that came from working with others. Volunteering became a way to stay mentally, socially and physically engaged while continuing to support her community.
Over the past six years, Celsie has volunteered with COTA Queensland across a range of programs supporting older people to stay connected, access information and share their lived experiences.
More recently, she has also become involved in COTA Queensland’s Seniors Social Isolation Prevention Peak work, supporting conversations and activities that help older people feel connected, valued and included within their communities.
One of Celsie’s most meaningful volunteer roles has been helping establish a seniors program at her local Neighbourhood Centre. What started as a simple social gathering over a cuppa has grown into a welcoming hub where older people can connect, build friendships and take part in activities and discussions that support wellbeing and belonging.
As an avid reader, Celsie also started a local book club, creating opportunities for people to come together regularly to share ideas, learn from one another and maintain lifelong learning and social connection.
Her story also highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships. Through volunteering alongside people of different ages, Celsie says she has always felt respected, valued and included, while having the opportunity to share her lived experience and knowledge with others.
For Celsie, age has never been a barrier to contributing meaningfully within her community.
“Volunteering is a privilege for me,” she says. “Working with people who have older people’s best interests at heart helps me stay connected and maintain my overall health and wellbeing.”
At COTA Queensland, older people are at the heart of everything we do. Stories like Celsie’s demonstrate the powerful role volunteering and social connection can play in supporting healthy ageing, challenging ageist stereotypes and building stronger, more connected communities.
This National Volunteers Week, we thank volunteers across Queensland whose generosity, lived experience and community spirit continue to make a lasting difference.
As Celsie reminds us: “Community is much more than belonging to something; it is about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”
Community is much more than belonging to something; it is about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”
Celsie Mead
