Toowoomba resident Sheryl awarded for tireless contributions to the community

Toowoomba resident Sheryl Weston has been officially recognised as a community volunteer after being presented with The Ron Martin and The Paul Harris Fellow awards by Toowoomba East Rotary Club.  

Starting her volunteering stint at Inner Wheel Club whilst still working, Sheryl has continue in retirement to devote much of her time after to various areas of the community including for Angel Flight Australia where she works as a volunteer driver, transporting bush people in need to medical appointments. 

Since starting at Angel Flight in 2017, Sheryl has undertaken 102 missions, driving passengers all over Queensland, from Roma to Cunnamulla, Dirranbandi, Blackall, into Toowoomba for specialist medical appointments.

CEO, Marjorie Pajani says; “Sheryl goes above and beyond for our organisation, not only driving passengers to their medical appointments but also helping them with essential shopping and representing our organisation at regional events like Farm Fest.”

Sheryl says she was inspired to volunteer as a driver with Angel Flight after attending an Inner Wheels meeting where she was, “struck by the need for patients living in the bush with medical issues to access vital medical care.” 

“Knowing that I am making another person's day a little better and taking some of their stress away by being friendly, compassionate and helpful is very rewarding experience,” says Sheryl.

Sheryl reflects on a particularly memorable mission where she transported a wheelchair bound man and his wife living on a property near Blackall from Charleville to Yuleba to Toowoomba, with the help of their son who shared the drive. “To see the relief on the couple's faces and the gratitude from the son, that we came up with a solution, made the long journey worth more than I can say,” says Sheryl. 

Sheryl received the awards from the Rotary Club when she was dropping into the office on behalf of Angel Flight to collect a donated cheque. Sheryl comments that she feels, “humbled and proud to be acknowledged for her work with the community and that there are many more deserving people out there.”

Aside from her volunteer role with Angel Flight, Sheryl is a current and active member of Inner Wheel Club of Toowoomba, President of St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital Auxiliary and a casual volunteer in office of St James Anglican Church Toowoomba. Formerly, Sheryl volunteered with Meals on Wheels transporting students of a local Boarding college to medical appointments.

The Ron Martin Award remembers the significant involvement of this gentleman in the formation of the Rotary Club if Toowoomba East and is presented to an outstanding individual who has rendered conspicuous service through a worthy community organisation.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute or have contributions made in their name of $1000 or more to The Rotary Foundation.