Rebecca Huggett has called Moranbah home for eighteen years. She arrived in 2007 for her second teaching posting however, Rebecca’s involvement in the community extends far beyond the classroom.

“I’ve been a teacher since the early 2000s. At Moranbah, I have been a Teacher, Year Coordinator, Head of Department, and now I coordinate a partnership between BHP and 18 regional schools,” said Rebecca.

Reflecting on what sparked her passion for volunteering, Rebecca said it all started through sport.

“When we first moved to Moranbah as a newly married couple with no kids, Matthew and I played lots of different sports. One day before a volleyball game, the Moranbah Squash and Volleyball Club held their AGM, and I found myself as the Vice President. Since then, I have volunteered my time for numerous community organisations.”

Over her time in Moranbah this extensive list includes the Catholic Church, Netball, AFL, Rugby Union, the Race Club, Simply Sunshine Daycare, the Moranbah Arts Council, Quota, Whitsunday STEM Challenge, Moranbah East State School, Moranbah State School, and Gymnastics.

Recently, she’s been active with the Moranbah State High School P&C. Her efforts helped bring the first comedy show to Moranbah, which she describes as “an amazing event that I’m very proud of and I am looking forward to it continuing in years to come.”

When asked how she manages to balance her many commitments, Rebecca credits her support network.

“Balancing volunteering with full-time work that requires frequent travel, and a busy family can sometimes be challenging, but we are able to rely on each other to make things work. I’ve also had massive support from my friends in Moranbah, who have become family to me. If I need help with the kids or with an event, they’re just a phone call or a message away.

“One of the things I love about Moranbah, and why we’ve been here so long, is the involvement we’ve had in our community and the opportunities our children have had.

“Right from the first year, we attended more community events and organised sport than we ever did in Brisbane. The truth is, without volunteers, the ability of organisations to put on events would be limited, and costs would be unaffordable for most people.”

When it comes to support and inspiration, Rebecca acknowledges several local figures.

“My husband, definitely, as he’s often the first to get involved. The most inspirational people are the Presidents of our local clubs. Without them, and their ability to inspire others, we wouldn’t see progress and engagement. Amanda Raymond at the Moranbah Arts Council, Natalie Ramsdale at Moranbah Netball, and Teran McCasker at Moranbah Rugby Union are three people I admire for how their vision has expanded a club.”

Rebecca also values her family’s involvement.

“My children have been volunteering alongside Matthew and I since they could walk. I hope they continue that involvement into the future as part of enriching their own lives.”

Her commitment to youth extends to her professional role as the Coordinator of the Bowen Basin Bright Minds partnership, based at Moranbah State High School.

“The vision for the partnership is to increase technology awareness and transferrable skills in students from our region, by empowering schools to drive their own focus area within STEM education. This includes providing incursions and excursions for students, professional development for teachers, collaborative writing of unit plans, and purchasing essential technology for the classroom.”

Rebecca’s efforts exemplify how one person’s dedication can make a difference in a community. Her work, whether behind the scenes at local events, spearheading educational partnerships, or nurturing youth development, has not only enriched Moranbah but also laid a foundation for future generations.