19/05/2026
For many of our volunteers at Australian Red Cross, their work is grounded in their lived experience and a deep commitment to helping others.
Kaz, a Customer Service team member based in the Qantas Brisbane Lounge, was inspired to become an Australian Red Cross Emergency Services volunteer following the 2022 Queensland floods.
At the time, Kaz and her family were living in Windsor when floodwaters unexpectedly entered their home. They lost power, witnessed nearby rescues by boat, and experienced the emotional toll of losing possessions, a confronting moment that underscored just how quickly circumstances can change.
During this time, Kaz saw firsthand the vital role Australian Red Cross played in supporting affected communities, an experience that left a lasting impression and motivated her to get involved.
With a professional background in customer service and emergency response support, Kaz saw volunteering as a natural extension of their values. After joining Qantas and seeing communications about the Emergency Services volunteer program, she signed up, eager to make a difference.
Now serving as a Team Convenor, Kaz plays an important leadership role, helping to connect and support fellow volunteers, facilitate training and team engagement, as well as creating a strong sense of community within her local network. While balancing shift work and recovery from a recent injury, Kaz remains deeply committed continuing training, supporting her team, and preparing for future deployment.
Kaz is also passionate about community preparedness, driven by the belief that “you don’t know what you don’t know” until you experience a disaster firsthand. Through initiatives like preparedness education and team engagement, she is helping build stronger, more resilient communities.
Volunteers like Kaz are exactly what National Volunteer Week is all about: people who turn compassion into action and make a meaningful difference where it matters most.
Thank you to our partners at Qantas who help us recruit, train and deploy 750 new volunteers to support communities impacted by disasters across the country.
