General News
9 August, 2024
Faye’s efforts celebrated
The tremendous effort and dedication of Maryborough Red Cross treasurer Faye Pyke was celebrated last Saturday at the Victorian Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards.
The awards, now in its second year, aim to recognise paid and volunteer emergency service members who go above and beyond to make a difference in their community.
Ms Pyke was one of 10 finalists nominated for her “leadership and contribution to Red Cross programs [which] exemplify her unwavering commitment to serving others and enhancing community resilience and wellbeing”.
“A Red Cross emergency services person rang me up and asked for my permission to be nominated and to start with I wasn’t quite sure why I was getting nominated,” Ms Pyke said.
“I was a bit surprised because, to be honest, I felt as far as emergency services are concerned, there are a lot more people doing more things than I do.
“On the night that I received the award I thought ‘this is not bad, this is pretty good’ — it’s nice to be recognised.”
Ms Pyke has volunteered at the Maryborough Red Cross for 23 years across various roles, she has provided evacuation and relief support during natural disasters for 13 years as an emergency services personnel and has offered patient transport for disadvantaged residents for the past 11 years.
According to Ms Pyke, giving her time for others has made a noticeable impact on her life.
“I’m a widow and I live by myself so when I retired I felt that I didn’t just want to sit at home so I decided to volunteer”, she said.
“I can’t imagine my life without volunteering — I get a lot of enjoyment out of it, I believe it has contributed a lot to my wellbeing and health and I just like being around people.
“The enjoyment I get from emergency services and certainly patient transport is seeing people appreciate what we do and how it takes the stress away from them.”
While at the Red Cross, Ms Pyke has also been an active member of the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre, which promotes the importance of volunteering and local organisations.
Ms Pyke said providing a hand in the community can be a fulfilling experience.
“There are a lot of very lonely people around, and I’m not just talking about people my age, I’m talking about younger people,” she said.
“I think their life would turn around if they put their hand up and volunteered and got involved with the community.
“It opens doors for employment and other opportunities, especially for younger people and it certainly broadens your outlook.”