Honorary Senior Fellow (April 2011)
Valerie Zwart OAM was named an Honorary Senior Fellow in April 2011 in recognition of her lifetime of voluntary community work on the Sunshine Coast through her vision, motivation, enthusiasm and innovation.
Valerie Zwart is a tireless community volunteer. She is inspirational in her work in building supportiveness, inclusiveness and friendliness into her local community.
For more than 20 years Valerie has undertaken volunteer roles with many hinterland groups. They include the Mapleton Community Library, The Old School House, Montville Information Centre, Blackall Range Care Group, Mapleton Craft Group, Sunshine Coast Association of Independent Retirees, Queensland Horticultural Media Association and the Range Community Kindergarten.
Valerie has also embraced horticulture. Her interest began early, inheriting her father's love of horticulture from a time in the 30's when people's homes were built with a nursery around them.
Valerie was recognised with the Community Award in the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards in January 2009 for her service to horticulture and the Mapleton community.
In June 2010 Valerie received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday honours list, for her contribution to the Blackall Range community and to horticulture.