Loganlea’s Joan Mitchell has beaten a strong field of contenders to be named this year’s City of Logan’s Senior Ambassador.
She may be considered ‘senior’ in years but Joan’s energy and drive could easily have her mistaken for someone much younger.
From mentoring high school students to teaching adult literacy, Joan has sacrificed a quiet retirement to make the city she loves even better (see below for a full bio of her achievements).
An emotional Joan said she was honoured to receive the award.
‘”I’m feeling quite proud today but so should all the other nominees, they are winners too,” she said.
“I have a saying from Winston Churchill on my coffee mug that says ‘we make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give’,” she said.
“All the nominees have given so much in so many ways and they deserve to be honoured too.”
She was presented with her award today in front of a packed auditorium at the Logan Entertainment Centre.
The presentation ceremony was held as part of the Logan Loves Seniors Day event, which is the City of Logan’s centrepiece celebration of Queensland Seniors Week.
More than 1000 guests took part in the day which featured more than 40 stalls, cooking and gardening workshops, yoga and tai chi sessions, a drumming workshop, massages and a gala concert by tribute group the ‘Carpenters of Kempsey’.
Joan’s story
- Volunteered for three years as a mentor for young people at Mabel Park State High, talking to them about the challenges they face and how to confront their problems
- Spent 11 years as a YourTown youth educational mentor, providing disengaged youth with literacy and numeracy support
- Adult Literacy tutor for Logan Libraries for more than five years
- 2010 Pride of Australia (Community Spirit) Medal for her work at YourTown
- 2012 YourTown Volunteer of the Year
- Certificate of Appreciation from Logan City Council for five years as an adult literacy tutor
