Without volunteers the Whitsunday Reef Festival simply wouldn’t happen.
Chair of the Reef Festival committee since 2009, Margie Murphy said she got an immense sense of satisfaction seeing people having fun during the 10-day event.
The 10 volunteers on the committee are supported by a further 30 volunteers who are made up of local people, sponsor employees and also high school students.
“If everyone does a couple of hours here and there that is how the festival happens,” she said.
“There is a reason we wear pink.
“It’s predominantly women that volunteer.
“We would love more men to get involved next year.”
Ms Murphy said in her paid job running a building company she spent a lot of time stuck in an office with little human contact.
“Volunteering allows me to get out of the office and to meet like-minded crazy people. It has been very rewarding in that way,” she said.
“I have built life-long friendships while volunteering for the festival and every year more and more people get involved.”
Next year Ms Murphy said the committee would be seeking financial support from state and local government to help run the festival.
The Reef Festival committee is inviting people to complete an online survey to help make the festival even better next year.
Follow the link from the festival’s Facebook page or email Ms Murphy on secretary@whitsundayreeffestival.com
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