MELANIE Rowe has been nominated in the Volunteer of the Year Award category for the 2025 Queensland Rugby League Community Volunteer Awards.
The footy mad Mount Walker mum volunteers her time and expertise in support of the junior Fassifern Bomber teams.
Her sons Helix and Odin love the sport, when they joined the team, she joined as a volunteer.
Mel is a staunch supporter of rugby league and enjoys helping out wherever she can.
She oversaw the community signboard on the main road through Harrisville and was a member of Harrisville State School’s Parent and Teachers Committee when her sons were enrolled there.
Mel even started the Mullet Cup event at the Boonah Show, money raised was donated to cancer support charity World’s Greatest Shave.
No doubt, these are some of the reasons someone put her name forward for the awards.
“I am the junior club coordinator with Fassifern Bombers,” she said.
“My role is to manage and mentor all the managers and be a bridge of communication between the committee and the parents.
“The club is run by volunteers and I encourage them, bringing in the club spirit.”
In the letter confirming the nomination, Adam Vanzanten General Manager Community Rugby League, wrote how Mel’s contributions were a great reflection of the hard work she’d put in to positively impact the rugby league community.
“Everyone who’s benefited from your work appreciates what you’ve done,” he wrote.
“Thanks for your hard work and for setting an example of dedication and service.”
The nomination took her by surprise.
“It was lovely to find out through the mail that someone recognised my commitment and the difference I am making,” she said.
“They’ve gone out of their way to nominate me and I appreciate that.”
She said if more people involved in NRL came to committee meetings they’d understand how many roles were played off the field to keep the wheels turning.
“Perhaps then you’d be inclined to say, ‘oh, I can help with that’ and then you’re in,” she said.
“Then you do a little more because we really need that get on board attitude.
“And I always say, as my surname suggests, I’m a grab an oar and get in the boat kind of girl.”
