General News
15 August, 2022
Volunteers needed for Energy Breakthrough
Tony and Maria Lacey have put up their hands for a combined 50 years as volunteers with Maryborough’s Energy Breakthrough (EB) event and this year will be no different, with locals being encouraged to help run the event. EB is one of...
Tony and Maria Lacey have put up their hands for a combined 50 years as volunteers with Maryborough’s Energy Breakthrough (EB) event and this year will be no different, with locals being encouraged to help run the event.
EB is one of Maryborough’s biggest annual events, however has not taken place for the past two years due to COVID-19 restrictions and health concerns.
The event, which hosts 5000 students from 150 schools across the state and country relies on more than 700 volunteers to bring it all together.
It’s something the Laceys have been involved in for years, with Tony first getting involved in 1993.
“It just gets you, it gets in your blood I think,” he said.
“As a volunteer you’re helping kids and their education and to see the smiles on their faces is just magic.”
Both retired teachers, Tony and Maria were first involved in EB with their respective schools before continuing their involvement as volunteers once they’d retired.
Maria said it’s an event she loves, with volunteering providing opportunities you otherwise wouldn’t experience.
“It’s really fun to be involved in something and I really like being involved in EB,” she said.
“It’s the weekend of Maryborough really, I just love it, and watching the event is great but participating as a volunteer is special.
“You get to see people you’ve known for years who have come from elsewhere and catch up with them, you do get a lot out of it.
“I do a lot of judging and I get so impressed with what the kids learn and do, some of the groups do such an amazing job and it’s fantastic to see.”
Applications recently opened for volunteers to take part in this year’s event with volunteer positions ranging from judges, marshals, entertainment, social media and plenty more.
Central Goldfields Shire councillor and Energy Breakthrough management group chairperson Liesbeth Long said volunteering with the event was a rewarding experience.
“EB just can’t happen without volunteers, they are crucial to bringing it all together,” she said.
“I’ve been volunteering since I was 20 and there’s something very special about it and I get so much out of doing it, there’s a great feeling of satisfaction that comes from volunteering and feeling like you’re making a difference.
“All my kids took part in the event and I’ve seen how rewarding volunteering can be from their experiences as well as how engaging it is.”
Cr Long said there’s a volunteering role for everyone and the time volunteers give is flexible and based around their availability.
“For people that may not have volunteered before, I highly recommend you give this a go — it’s an experience you won’t forget,” she said.
“Volunteering doesn’t mean you have to be at the event 24/7, even a couple of hours when it suits you helps.
“I think people get put off thinking if they volunteer, it will be for the whole five days of the event and it’s not like that at all.
“There are roster spots and you choose what suits you — you can do as much or as little as you like and everything is appreciated.”
The 2022 EB event will take place from November 16-20, with those interested in volunteering or learning more encouraged to call the volunteer coordinator on 0408 326 157 or visit www.eb.org.au/
volunteer/.