Our Customer Service Leader, Jessica Hickey, was recently awarded the ‘Young Citizen of the Year Award’ in the Lord Mayor of Brisbane’s Australia Day Awards 2016. Jessica is a motivated 22-year-old studying speech pathology at university who still finds the time to work part-time and volunteer to assist the Community.
Jessica joined the Ecumenical Coffee Brigade in 2011 and volunteers monthly to go into the City with the Van at 6 o’clock in the morning to deliver tea, coffee, sandwiches and companionship to Brisbane’s homeless. She also volunteered at Homeless Connect in 2014 and 2015 on the Ecumenical Coffee Brigade stand, sharing information about the services they offer.
Jessica also became part of a group from St Joseph’s Bracken Ridge who visit Jacana – an acquired brain injury centre at Bracken Ridge – every three weeks to provide an ecumenical service followed by a sing-along for the residents. Jessica plays the piano and sings which the residents greatly enjoy.
During 2012, she and five friends formed an a capella group called The Notabelles. These girls perform free of charge for a variety of community events such as Einbunpin Festival at Sandgate, fundraising events for Motor Neurone Disease, at Retirement Villages, childcare centres and any other community event who enjoy the love of music and much as they do.
In 2011 Jessica became a part of the planning committee for JAFA – the Joseph and Anthony Fellowship of the Arts. This is a performing arts group that presents musicals every two years and concerts in between for the local community to enjoy. Jessica has been involved with five productions.
Jessica is a member of the Music Ministry at St Joseph’s Bracken Ridge Parish and shares her musical talents in many ways. She sings and plays piano regularly at mass, she plays and signs at major celebrations in the parish such as Christmas, Easter, funerals, Weddings and celebrations like Confirmation and First Eucharist. She co-ordinates a group of young musicians to lead a youth mass every six weeks.
Jess is also a member of SALT (Young Adult Group) which is open to 18 to 30-year-olds. The group meets once a fortnight on Sunday evenings for coffee to discuss social justice topics. This group has been involved in outreach projects including the organising of Christmas hampers for the families of prisoners.
Overall, Jessica is a fine young woman who always puts others first and enjoys volunteering to help the community. She is an inspiration to her generation.