The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, and its community fundraising initiative The Common Good, is the fortunate recipient of thousands of volunteering hours every year. This is time generously gifted from incredible people who want to make a difference for medical research, equipment and patient care at the hospitals we support.
We celebrate these incredible volunteers often, but especially in 2025 during National Volunteer Week.
Celebrating Volunteers this National Volunteer Week Australia 2025
In 2025, the National Volunteer Week theme is ‘Connecting Communities’ to celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together, which is certainly something that the volunteers who support The Common Good do.
In this blog, we want to introduce you to a small handful of the wonderful people who help people live healthier for longer by donating their time and skills.
Lara Lowndes, Deputy Chair, Board
Lara has been part of the Board since 2018 and took on the role of Deputy Chair in 2024.
With a background in medical research, she is very passionate about her role and helping to advance the work of the dedicated researchers we help to support.
Why did you take on the volunteer role on the board?
There would not be one person whose life has not been touched by medical research in some way, shape, or form.
Medical research is a career unlike anything else. They are always fighting for funding. One of the great things the Foundation has done in recent times is implement a more structured research pathway for the researchers we support.
I have a background in medical research and, as such, am very passionate about looking after our researchers. The new pathway aims to attract the best and brightest and retain them by supporting a long-term career.
How does volunteering make you feel?
Volunteering for the Board of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation is hugely rewarding. We hit above our weight in what we achieve. Sometimes you come home from a board meeting and feel overwhelmingly positive – the work we help to support has a tangible impact on people’s lives. In some cases, it is lifesaving, and I’m proud to say I’m part of it.
Why should others volunteer their time?
100% get involved. It’s a great way to help your local community, and in our case, much of the research work we support does have an impact here in Queensland, as well as nationally and internationally.
Hospital Volunteers
There are 117 Charlie’s Angels volunteers currently at The Prince Charles Hospital who carry out a range of jobs, including welcoming visitors and helping patients find their way around the hospital.
Charlie’s Angels also began offering assistance to staff and patients at the Kallangur Satellite Health Centre in 2025. At present, there are four based at this centre. In total, 121 Charlie’s Angels provide 655 hours of support a week.
At Caboolture Hospital, 45 wonderful hospital volunteers carry out similar, incredibly beneficial duties.
Cassie, Charlie’s Angel, Kallangur Satellite Health Centre
What is your volunteer role?
I am a Companion and Support Angel at Kallangur Satellite Health Centre. My role involves welcoming patients and visitors, providing directions within the hospital, providing refreshments to patients in waiting areas and after procedures, and providing a small amount of basic administrative assistance to staff.
Why did you start volunteering?
I started volunteering because I wanted to get out and about and try something new, different, and meaningful. When I saw the role advertised on the internet, I thought, ‘That sounds really interesting, I should try something like this because I haven’t tried it before’. I also knew I would get to meet some lovely people and give back to my community if I volunteered.
How has volunteering changed your life?
Volunteering has been a life-changing experience because it helps me develop valuable skills that will assist me in my everyday life and other job-related environments. I also thought volunteering at the hospital would help me to improve my communication and conversational skills, and I was right. I find myself having many conversations with patients, visitors, other volunteers and staff now that I am a Charlie’s Angel volunteer.
Would you recommend volunteering to others?
Yes, I would recommend volunteering to anyone who likes meeting new people, trying something different and/or learning new skills.
Anne, Charlie’s Angel Volunteer
What is your volunteer role?
Monday mornings in ICU.
Why did you start volunteering?
I had a personal experience with Charlie’s Angels several years ago when my mother had an ICU admission. Following that, I always said I would become a Charlie’s Angel when I retired from work and “give back”.
How has volunteering changed your life?
I don’t know that it has “changed my life”, but I volunteer in the ICU, and I do believe that we make a difference to the everyday workload of ICU staff, and our presence does assist and provide support to the families of ICU patients.
Would you recommend volunteering to others?
Most definitely.
Keith, Caboolture Hospital Volunteer
What is your volunteer role?
During my volunteer shifts, I do a range of things to help patients and staff at the hospital. Some tasks include welcoming visitors to the hospital at the main entrance volunteer desk, directing or taking visitors or patients to a particular ward or department, and assisting the wards/ departments in preparing admin packs or associated medical consumables.
Why did you start volunteering?
I started volunteering following my decision to retire from the workforce. I volunteer at the hospital because I have a caring nature and enjoy helping other people.
Would you recommend volunteering to others?
Volunteering has provided a purpose in my life following retirement, and assisting people every day has a really positive effect on my life. I can absolutely recommend volunteering at Caboolture Hospital to those who enjoy helping and caring for others.
Thank you to everyone who volunteers for The Common Good
We are so grateful to everyone who helps us make a difference by giving their time and skills. If volunteering is something you’d be interested in, please sign up to hear about our upcoming events and opportunities.
