General News
20 May, 2025
“Sometimes you just have to have a go”
Leonie Lomax is keen to volunteer her time as a part of a team eager to get community projects over the line.
From the Carisbrook levee through to the Maryborough Municipal Outdoor Pool, Ms Lomax credits the progress in these ongoing projects to groups of like-minded people working diligently.
In the past she has sat on many advisory groups, volunteered as a secondary student mentor, been a member of the Chamber Of Commerce and has been secretary of a small business association.
In the present, however, she is particularly drawn to project-based volunteering.
In recent times she stepped up to play an active role in the Carisbrook levee project to help give voice to the Carisbrook community in response to the devastating floods several years ago.
From the first meeting Ms Lomax has been a part of The Friends of the Maryborough Outdoor Pool Precinct, before the group even had their name.
From closed to the public, seemingly without a solid future, the group has almost secured the entirety of the necessary funding — assuming all goes to plan.
“I was initially approached by councillor Anna De Villiers to be part of the pool revival group. I was so impressed with the passion of Duncan Bates and Rowena Butler, to form a committee to get the Maryborough swimming pool repaired and reopened. I knew this was a worthwhile project to invest my time into,” she said.
“Many of us have fond memories of taking our families to the pool and recognise the importance of learning to swim as well as the family, social and fun recreational benefits.”
Across a handful of meetings and a few months Ms Lomax is “truly surprised” by their impact.
“Sometimes you just have to have a go,” she said.
Beyond the reward of the pool’s progress Ms Lomax is proud to be a part of a united group.
“I am also very grateful for the chance to contribute alongside people who generate such a positive energy and vibe — these are the important personal benefits of volunteering, we all need this for our mental and physical health,” she said.
“Most importantly, volunteering is something you do for the greater community and what you achieve is passed on to future generations.”