Deb Love has two great passions in her life – family and volunteering.
Her parents, Ray and Nolene Youll, and grandparents, Jim and Jo Ferguson, were Beaudesert locals and she has spent most of her life in the town, attending Rathdowney State School, St Mary’s Primary and Beaudesert State High School.
Deb grew up watching her grandparents and parents volunteering for many organisations including Rotary, Beaudesert Fishing Club, netball, St Vincent de Paul and Quota.
This way of life is something she has instilled in her own children.
“I grew up with fantastic role models that taught me what it means to give back.”
“At the end of the day, it’s not about what you do, what you have or what you’ve achieved, it’s more about the people that you lift up, the people that you help, the people and the communities that you give to.
“Without volunteers associations don’t survive.”
Deb is currently the President of Beaudesert Netball Club and has been heavily involved in Little Athletics, Kingfishers and vigoro.
She started playing netball with Beaudesert Netball Club when she was five years of age.
She played representative netball throughout her teenage years and says her coach, Sue Farmers, remains an inspiration.
“She was more about life and teamwork than netball.”
Today Deb coaches the Under 14s team at Beaudesert Netball Club and she has previously coached Net Set Go through to representative teams.
“Coaching is really important to me. I love coaching so much, being able to build relationships with the girls and watching them not just improving their netball, but watching them flourish as young adults.”
Her children, Mia and Charlie are heavily involved in sport and her husband Simon is also a tireless volunteer.
Mia plays netball and vigoro and Charlie plays netball and referees rugby league.
Mia was recently awarded the AV Jennings Ball Deliverer at the Firebirds game. She was nominated for her volunteer work with the Beaudesert Netball Club.
Simon and Deb met when they were in high school.
Simon left high school early and they reconnected when they were about 19 years of age.
The couple recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
“We are really proud of both the kids. They both really understand what it takes to build a community.”
Deb sleeps only about five hours a night.
In addition to looking after her family, she works for Hohl Plumbing and says she is fortunate the company is very supportive of the work she does in the community.
“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.“
“When you’ve got heart and you’ve got passion and you care about something then you’ll always find the time to do it.”
