Premier’s Awards for Volunteer Service

Phyl Twigg has been a volunteer with the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia since 2005, helping to look after the Society’s extensive Library collection. As a former English teacher and librarian, she has brought invaluable experience in collection management and administration to her volunteering and she has provided invaluable service in maintaining the library. She deals with enquiries from members and the general public, including individuals based overseas, and has helped to develop an improved catalogue of both the books and the Society’s extensive collection of historical maps. The Society has relied heavily on her knowledge and input, and she is now one of the longest serving Librarians in the Society's 140-year history. Her years of valuable volunteer service to the Society fully merit recognition in the form of the Premier’s Certificate.

Nona Verco has been a volunteer with the RGSSA since 2014. Over the past decade, she has been a very active and valued member of our Library committee and currently chairs this group. Nona is one of the Society’s dedicated Librarians and she opens and operates our library on Tuesdays. She has developed an amazing knowledge of the Library and is one of our most skilled and reliable Librarians. If someone is searching for something, Nona invariably knows where to find it. She’s also a committed member of our Rare Books Group and plays a leading role in scheduling events and sourcing material. She coordinates the efforts of our Volunteer Librarians and general Library volunteers. She is also a member of RGSSA’s governing Council. Nona is a dedicated and hard-working volunteer who is held in the highest esteem by her peers. She is a very worthy person to be recognised in the Premier’s awards.

Melissa Gibbs is an outstanding and tireless volunteer for both the Royal Geographical Society of SA (RGSSA) and Scouts SA. Her service to both has been long-term, spanning over three decades for the RGSSA. Currently Secretary of RGSSA and Treasurer of the Balhannah Scout Group, she is 100% committed and utterly reliable, fulfilling her core volunteer duties with enthusiasm, skill, and diligence to detail. She consistently goes well beyond what is required and performs all duties with great competence. She reacts positively to any request and covers for other volunteers whenever needed. Melissa helps focus the efforts of others to produce the best results for the collective good. She typifies selfless volunteering in an organisation that relies on volunteer input. Through her sustained efforts over many years, the breadth of her achievements and the esteem in which she is held, she is the worthiest of nominations for the Premier’s Award.

Frances is an outstanding volunteer. Since joining the RGSSA in 2014 she has served with distinction in numerous roles including: as Chair of the Program Committee; as a member of the governing Council; and as a dedicated volunteer in the RGSSA’s world-renowned library. Frances continues to serve in all these roles.

Her leadership of the Program Committee has been instrumental in delivering a high-quality lecture program which brings prominent speakers to Adelaide to address a range of topics relevant to the public debate including: climate change, urban planning, environment and conservation, and many other matters pertinent to Australia’s geography and history.

Frances is a leader who develops innovative ways to encourage volunteers. She has ensured that new volunteers are well informed about the RGSSA’s activities, and its remarkable resources, and the many opportunities these create for them to contribute to the advancement of geographical knowledge, education, research and scholarship.

Over nearly 40 years involvement with the Society, including two terms as President over fourteen years, Rod has attended innumerable meetings, participated in all committees and undertaken truly enormous work loads to keep the Society as a relevant and professional institution. Rod has done much to raise the profile of the Society at the local, state and national level, providing invaluable public exposure for our collection and activities. He has ensured that the Library and Collections remain under the ownership and custody of the Society and has preserved our historically close relationship with the State Library of South Australia. He is highly regarded for his steady leadership and the collegiate way he continues to influence and support every facet of the Society.

Since 1999 the WTSG has made an outstanding volunteer contribution to the community and to the RGSSA through their development and maintenance of 230 kms of marked walks and trails in the Flinders Ranges and Barossa Regions. This exceptional work has been done with the support of local landowners and The National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia.

For almost quarter of a century WTSG volunteers of diverse backgrounds and skills have also produced excellent books for the RGSSA, interpretive leaflets, maps, and sign posting, promoting self -guided walks. These resources have been enthusiastically received by the public. The Group’s most recent initiative has been the production of a very well received ‘Flinders Ranges Walks’ app <https://apps.apple.com/au/app/flinders-ranges-walks/id1275979433>

The WTSG has led many other volunteers including international exchange students, overseas tourists, and members of walking groups to contribute to the creation of high-quality walks that present minimal impact on the environment.