2020 Centacare volunteer of the year recognised for dedication to community

The 2020 Centacare volunteer of the year wears many different hats.

Gillian Goad is a mother, the president of the Northampton District High School Parents and Citizens Association, secretary of the Northampton Tennis Club — and she handles the back end of her and her husband’s livestock agency.

As if that’s not enough, when the Geraldton Guardian gave her a call this week, she was helping put out a fire at her neighbour’s place.

Despite her clear dedication to community, Mrs Goad, pictured, insisted she didn’t deserve the award on her own because every achievement she had overseen this year was a team effort.

“It’s humbling. I am a bit funny about it,” she said.

The Northampton District High School P&C raised $15,000 this year through various catering and community events.

Mrs Goad said the money paid for new iPads and renovations to the school’s early childhood centre, making it more suitable for children with special needs.

With the tennis club, Mrs Goad has helped organise junior tennis coaching and other events to help breathe life back into the club.

She said it was “lovely” to be recognised at the event, held by Centacare and the City of Greater Geraldton at Queens Park Theatre event this month.

“It’s wonderful to know you are making a difference,” she said.