Champion of disadvantaged Sarina youth recognised with award

She is always looking out for children in the school yard and organises uniforms and formal wear (for the school formal) for students from struggling families.

For this and many other selfless acts, Teresa was the recipient of the Mary Malone Perpetual Award at this year’s Sarina Women’s Week Awards.

Deputy Mayor Karen May said the awards, held last Saturday (March 13) at Third Ground Coffee House, were a fantastic celebration of women in Sarina, including 33 amazing award recipients.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to express our gratitude for the selfless efforts of these women who make our community a better place by their actions,” Cr May said.

“It was also a pleasure to acknowledge Teresa for her volunteer work between schools, sports and community events during her seven years in Sarina,” she said.

“She’s organised countless fundraisers, run cooking programs for the less fortunate in the community and organised school uniforms for students who need them.

“Teresa fundraised enough money and clothes to make sure every year twelve student had formal wear and had a Formal to go to.

“Her efforts will have a lasting and profound impact on those kids – and their self-esteem, confidence and desire to come to school each day.

“Those who nominated her spoke of her as a superhero and applauded her commitment, integrity, selflessness, determination and love for her community.

“She is undoubtedly a worthy recipient.”

The Sarina Women’s Week awards were an initiative of the Sarina Neighbourhood Centre and council and are supported by the Queensland Government. They coincided with Queensland Women's Week, which ran from March 3 to 14.

The Mary Malone Perpetual Award was created in honour of the contributions made by Mary Malone to the Sarina community.