Long-serving Club Treasurer and Chief Flying Instructor who is at the airfield every weekend, leading aircraft maintenance and Form 2 inspections, and has played a key role in training virtually every student in the club
Derek’s comments on why he volunteers…
“I was very fortunate growing up to have the opportunity to travel to other countries over our school summer holidays. My favourite aspect of travel was to visit the cockpit and talk to the pilots. I have some great stories to tell and heaps of wonderful memories. It was those experiences that fuelled my desire to become a commercial pilot, but ‘life’ had other plans for me. I found out that I was red/green colourblind and that excluded me from a career in aviation – so I went on to become a Software Developer / Systems Analyst instead.
I my latter years of high school, I spent many hours on most weekends flying model gliders, in particular, slope soaring them. When I started University, I found out about the Adelaide University Gliding Club and joined as soon as I could – why fly model gliders when I could fly the real thing! My red/green colour-blindness might have prevented me from having a career in aviation, but it wasn’t going to stop me from flying gliders.
In short – I love flying.
But I also enjoy passing on my love of flying to others. To see the smile on someone’s face when they’ve just accomplished another goal – like going solo – is fantastic. If there is something I can do that is going to help someone achieve their goals and enjoy this wonderful sport, then I will try to do that.
Thanks,
Derek Spencer”
The Warwick Gliding Club is pleased to nominate Valerie Wilkinson in recognition of her outstanding and sustained contribution as a volunteer. Valerie represents the very best of what keeps community-based aviation organisations operating safely, efficiently and with a strong sense of culture. Valerie has been recognised for here outstanding contribution to gliding.
Valerie’s contribution is both broad and consistent. She has served on the club’s committee in various roles including that of President, Secretary, Treasurer and Tugmaster is deeply involved in the day-to-day functioning of the club, regularly supporting operations, administration and maintenance of our facilities. Her willingness to step in wherever needed, often without being asked, has made her a dependable and central figure within the club’s volunteer base.
From an operational perspective, Valerie plays an important role in maintaining the smooth running of club activities. Whether assisting with coordination on flying days, supporting briefings, or ensuring that members and visitors are welcomed and integrated, her presence contributes directly to safe and organised operations. In a sport where preparation, communication and discipline are essential, Valerie’s reliability and attention to detail are highly valued.
Beyond operations, Valerie contributes significantly to the club’s administrative and organisational functions. She assists with coordination of events, supports communications within the club, and helps maintain continuity across club activities. These roles, while often less visible, are critical to the sustainability of a volunteer-run organisation.
Equally important is Valerie’s contribution to club culture. She is approachable, supportive and inclusive, helping to create an environment where new members feel welcome and existing members remain engaged. This is particularly important in a technical sport such as gliding, where mentorship and community play a key role in participation and retention
Valerie’s commitment is demonstrated not through isolated efforts, but through consistent and ongoing support over time. She contributes quietly but effectively, without seeking recognition, and her efforts underpin many aspects of the club’s success.
In summary, Valerie Wilkinson is a highly valued volunteer and long-term member whose contribution spans operations, administration and community engagement. Her reliability, positive attitude and willingness to contribute wherever needed make her an indispensable part of the Warwick Gliding Club.
Bill has been a continuous member of the Waikerie Gliding Club for an remarkable 58 years, dedicating more than 50 of those to serving on the club’s committee. His leadership contributions have been exceptional — he served as Club President for over a decade and has held the position of Club Treasurer for the past three years.
A Level 3 instructor and the club’s Chief Flying Instructor, Bill plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of glider pilots. He also brought his organisational expertise to bear as Contest Director for the National Gliding State Championships, held at Waikerie.
Beyond his formal roles, Bill is simply the heartbeat of the club — always present, always helping, and always welcoming newcomers with warmth and enthusiasm. His dedication extends beyond the airfield too; Bill generously volunteers his time with Meals on Wheels, reflecting the same spirit of service that has made him such a cherished figure in the broader Waikerie community.
Bill says:
“I volunteer primarily to give back to the club and sport that I love.
There is also the satisfaction of seeing tasks through to fruition, especially when your student goes solo or achieves a badge flight. I like doing trial flights with newcomers which is rewarding and gives a chance to showcase our sport.
I have continued to learn new skills and talents even after 60 years of involvement.
I cherish the lifelong friendships and mates that are unique to this sport and no matter the status of people we all share a common bond.”
This National Volunteer Week (18–24 May 2026), we’re proud to recognise one of the forces behind everything we do at our club — our Chief Flying Instructor.
Being a CFI is far more than a title. It has late finishes. It’s patience in the cockpit, precision in the briefings, and an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence. It’s mentoring new pilots through their first flights, guiding experienced members to sharpen their skills, training new instructors and making countless judgment calls that keep us all flying safely.
What makes a great CFI isn’t just technical expertise — it’s generosity. Giving time, knowledge, and energy purely for the benefit of others. Week after week, season after season, our CFI volunteers not for recognition, but because of a genuine passion for aviation and for our club community.
Because of that dedication, more people take to the skies with confidence. More pilots progress. And our club continues to thrive.
To our CFI Noe Vagg: thank you for your leadership, your calm professionalism, and your tireless contribution. You are exactly what National Volunteer Week is all about.
Noel’s Comments on why he volunteers:
“It seemed such a simple question but it certainly has made me think about the reasons and there are several.
Over a prolonged period of time my club had no students, membership had been declining and members were openly discussing the clubs limited future. I had joined the club forty years previously and decided that steps had to be taken to revitalise the group. With effort and time we now have a new website, eleven students, a fibreglass two-seat training glider and hope for the future. It was worth it and I continue to work towards improving my club.”
We have many volunteers working in and around the club, including those instructing and dragging aircraft through the sky in a safe manner.
Tony Cottrell is around as often as he can be, looking after facilities and the grounds.
Tony recently recovered from an accident when a club trailer he was working on, fell from the props it was resting on while he worked underneath. He has fully recovered and back into looking after our club and its people. He is pictured doing hangar chores with our club president, Dave Donald.
Tony says:
“Asked why do I volunteer at Boonah Gliding club? How could I not. The entire club is run on a voluntary basis. For decades members have given to the club in many ways and to this day the committee, the instructors, the tow pilots and all the other helpers generously give their valuable time and exceptional expertise to the members.
I have only been flying for 20 months and volunteers have given personally to me over 140 hours of their time and effort. I am only too happy to contribute to the smooth running of our club and as a retired hands-on mechanical sort of fella my few skills are well utilized.
The more you put in, the more you get out.
Tony.”
Mark Pule is an exceptional volunteer whose commitment, reliability and practical contribution make him highly deserving of national recognition within Gliding Australia.
As a dedicated member of Beverley Soaring Society, Mark is a familiar and highly valued presence at the airfield on most flying days. He gives his time generously to assist with ground operations, helping ensure daily flying activities run smoothly, safely and efficiently. His willingness to be there consistently, often without fanfare, has made him a most valuable and popular member of the club.
Mark brings a rare combination of practical skills and aviation knowledge. With an extensive background in helicopter operations and as an experienced aviator, he contributes sound judgement, strong situational awareness and a calm, capable approach in busy operational environments. These qualities are invaluable in the day to day club operations where safety, teamwork and efficiency are essential.
His service extends well beyond his home club. Mark regularly volunteers to support operations when the club organises expeditions to remote airfields, giving up his own time to travel and assist wherever needed. This level of commitment demonstrates a genuine passion for the sport and a readiness to contribute wherever he can make a difference.
Mark has also travelled across Australia to volunteer at national gliding competitions, supporting the successful delivery of major events that bring pilots and clubs together from around the country. Volunteers of his calibre are critical to the success of these competitions, and Mark’s dependability and work ethic have earned widespread respect.
What sets Mark apart is not only the amount of time he gives, but the attitude he brings. He is always willing to step in, lend a hand and help solve problems without needing recognition. He embodies the spirit of volunteerism through humility, generosity and consistent service to others.
Mark has become an invaluable member of Beverley Soaring Society and a tremendous asset to the broader gliding community. A national volunteer award within Gliding Australia would be a fitting and well-deserved recognition of his outstanding contribution.
Mark says:
“I am just one of team of volunteers most clubs have working behind the scenes. We provide safety operations under The Gliding Australia umbrella. Most of us come from flying back grounds n have in-depth knowledge of the clubs they volunteer in. No I’m not a glider pilot but a Helo pilot with a cessna 210 in a hanger. And yes kiwis can fly!”
My name is Keith Ayotte. I’m the president of the Canberra Gliding Club. In my twenty years as a club member, I have seen many selfless volunteers and well recognise the essential value they bring to the Club and its community or participants. I would like to bring to your attention one in particular that we believe exemplifies this group of volunteers.
John Thomson has been a member of the Canberra Gliding Club (CGC) and an instructor for many decades. John has served as club secretary since the 1980’s and has run many summer-camps at Temora during the summer soaring season. The Canberra Gliding Club operates from Bunyan Airfield, just north of Cooma, NSW. The airfield is just less than 250 hectares in size and has four runways, two of which are well in excess of one kilometre in length. As the airfield is owned by the CGC, all of these runways must be maintained by CGC. In addition, there are several areas on the property that need to be maintained for day-to-day use in club activities. Maintenance on the airfield is a huge task and one that is essential to the CGC’s activities. In addition to his secretarial and summer-camp contributions, for several years now John has been doing the lion’s share of this maintenance on the airfield. A typical day of maintenance for John involves a 100km drive from his Canberra home, down to the airfield, where he puts in several hours doing airfield maintenance and ending with a 100km return trip back to Canberra. In the growing season, this trip can be required more than once a week to keep up with the grass growth on the runways and adjoining areas. Over the years John has put in literally thousands of hours maintaining the runways and surrounding areas as well as other general maintenance around Bunyan airfield. As already noted, this is in addition to his secretarial and summer-camp contributions, all done without drawing attention to himself or his achievements.
Therefore, we believe John is well deserving of recognition as a volunteer.
Peter Stephenson embodies the spirit of volunteering in gliding — quietly stepping up wherever help is needed, sharing decades of experience, and helping create the sense of camaraderie that makes our community so special. A long-time member of the and passionate supporter of cross-country flying, Peter volunteered his time during this year’s Easter Regatta not as a competitor, but simply to help others enjoy the experience. From launch control to retrieves and mentoring, Peter’s story captures the friendships, teamwork, and generosity that keep gliding thriving. The team at greatly appreciates Peter’s efforts, enthusiasm, and willingness to lend a hand wherever needed.
From Peter:
I belong to the Caboolture Gliding Club (CGC) and have been a member since it first began
in 1990. CGC members have been going out to DDSC, often during a week’s course called
the Caboolture week in September/October each year. I first attended in 2001 and was
coached by the late great Alan Latemore and reattended multiple times culminating in some
300klm flights.
I got to hear of the Easter Regatta, a fun type competition that was held inland of Brisbane
but was never in the position to attend. Our Club even hosted the Regatta I think at Dalby. I
have recently changed my work practices to 3 weeks on and one week off. Well this year
that one week off coincided with the Regatta! More importantly, it also coincided with my
brother in laws 70 th Birthday in the UK and my wife was to be a surprise guest!
I did not want to actually enter the Regatta as I had not flown cross country for many years so
I volunteered as ground crew. I owed Sarah Thompson a retrieve as she retrieved me and the
Ventus on her first ever solo retrieve and I knew that she would be at the Regatta.
Outlanding is integral part of gliding and retrieving is all part of the fun. I am a L2 gliding
instructor at CGC, a non cross country club, but I still prepare my students to be cross
country pilots. I am always very pleased to see our members spread their wings and go cross
country.
Every day of the Regatta started with morning briefing at 9:30 am. They were full of humour
and camaraderie. Following on, we pulled out the gliders, and I helped with the DI’s. Then
Contest Director Jenny Thompson quickly put me to work as the Launch Controller. I was
just expecting to be hooking on and running the wings and retrieving! Soon after the fleet
had launched, we retired to a covered area beside the runway to watch the real time maggot
race (flight traces) on the pureglide app. Watching the flights was riveting as I experienced
empathy with the pilots, remembering my challenging flights of yesteryear.
We had our first outlanding on Easter Saturday. I wanted to go but everyone took off leaving
me behind. Those that went out had a party in the paddock with photos to prove it! The next
day we had another outlanding and guess who was the pilot in command: Sarah T. I made
sure this time I was in the car pulling the trailer! And as the day before, everyone again
attended and helped derig the K21b2 in the same party atmosphere.There was only another outlanding and the end of the competition. It was a PW5 with tiny
wings that was so easy to derig. The local farmers helped and I just held the torch! When we
returned, the final dinner was all set up in a magical atmosphere with the delicious smells of a
BBQ in the air. Before the dinner, the presentation ceremony was held, all in the same
atmosphere of mateship that started each day of the Regatta.
So it is true: the Easter Regatta is an event not to missed, whether you are competitor or
volunteer on the ground!
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