GCA Celebrates Volunteer Milestones on National Volunteer Week

2023-05-17

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, Gold Coast Airport hosted a special breakfast for its Ambassadors and AmbassaPAWS on Tuesday morning.

It was also the ‘paw-fect’ occasion to celebrate a furry special milestone for long-time therapy dog, Gary, who has been awarded a five-year service medal in recognition of his contribution at the airport.

The six-year-old golden Labrador Cross was GCA’s first AmbassaPAW joining the airport’s volunteer program in 2018. The airport now has two therapy dogs, with Labrador Quincy joining the team earlier
this year.

Soon, there’ll be even more paws on the ground, with five new therapy dogs joining Gary and Quincy, over the next month allowing the airport to have a pooch on paw-trol daily.

Three Airport Ambassadors – Linda Cameron, Deborah Smith and Elizabeth Whitney, also received service awards this morning.

Nine new volunteers are also joining the GCA Ambassador team. Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton thanked the ambassadors for their commitment to the airport at GCA’s National Volunteer Week morning tea this morning.

“Our Ambassadors are an extension of our team, and they’re an important part of our customers experience in our terminal,” Ms Charlton said.

“They’re the friendly faces who leave a lasting positive impression on travellers whether they’re departing or arriving at Gold Coast Airport. Our AmbassaPAWS also play a crucial role, helping to ease the stress and anxiety that can be associated with travelling for some people,” she said.

“Some of our ambassadors have been here since we launched the program, and we are so appreciative of their time and commitment to Gold Coast Airport and its customers.”

“This year Gold Coast Airport was voted the Best Regional Airport in Australia/Pacific at the Skytrax World Airport Awards for the fifth time, and we know our Ambassadors and AmbassaPAWS are a key contributor to earning that recognition.”

Shirley Shillington has been an airport ambassador at Gold Coast Airport since the program was launched in 2016 and says her role at the airport has given her a renewed sense of purpose since retiring.

“We know airports can be overwhelming and stressful for some people, so when we can help by pointing them in the right direction, we see that sense of relief and they’re really thankful and that is rewarding for us,” Ms Shillington said.