National Volunteer Week (8 – 15 May) is the perfect time to ask “What is it that inspires some people to give up their time to help others?”
There is an amazing band of volunteers who do just that every day at Cairns Airport, extending a warm welcome and a helping hand to people using the airport.
The Airport Ambassador program began 10 years ago in 2007, when the Domestic Terminal, now known as T2, was undergoing redevelopment.
By the time those works were completed in 2010, the Ambassadors had proven to be an invaluable part of the fabric of Cairns Airport and so the program has been retained ever since.
Cairns Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, Kate McCreery Carr, said she can never say thank you too many times to the 27 people who make up the Airport Ambassadors.
“Between them they cover shifts from 4:30am through until 6:00pm every day,” she said. “They start the day welcoming our international passengers and directing them through the border processing area. Later in the morning their focus is on the arrivals halls in both terminals, while they spend the afternoons in T2, assisting both arriving and departing passengers.”
“When I ask the Ambassadors why they are so keen to volunteer for this role, they invariably say that they love meeting people. The airport is a great place to do that! Many also say they are proud to welcome holidaymakers our beautiful destination and to offer them some tips for their stay. Whatever reason they have for being here, Cairns Airport greatly appreciates their invaluable contribution and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”
The current group of Airport Ambassadors come from a diverse range of backgrounds and between them can offer our international visitors 13 different languages including Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Filipino, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Dutch and Malay.
Ms McCreery Carr said the airport welcomes enquiries from people interested in joining the Airport Ambassador program.
“Each of our volunteers commits to working two five-hour shifts per week, so if you think you would enjoy welcoming and assisting people at Cairns Airport and have some time to spare we would love to hear from you.”
Anyone interested in becoming an Airport Ambassador can call 4080 6703 or email enquiries@cairnsairport.com.au to find our more.