Gill Furlong’s, from Dampier in the Pilbara, journey into active citizenship is a story rooted in personal values, community love, and the belief that genuine change requires participation. From humble beginnings to significant roles in the Pilbara region, her journey exemplified how one person’s commitment can impact a whole community.

A Family Legacy of Giving

Gill grew up in a household where community involvement was the norm. Her father founded a football club, and her mother was always behind the wheel, driving everyone to where they needed to be. This atmosphere of generosity and action set the tone for Gill’s own approach to volunteering and life. When she moved to the Pilbara nearly 17 years ago with her husband, and daughter of two, Gill embraced the local community. “I understood the importance of community, and decided to embrace it fully.”

The Power of Many Hands Make Light Work

Right from the start, Gill became involved in a local Play Group, a decision that helped her understand how cooperative communities functioned. “I remember everybody was handed a little lollipop with a job on it,” Gill recalls. “It was such a clever way to get people to share tasks.” In this group, everyone contributed, whether it was kitchen duty, floor cleaning, or locking up. It was the spirit of shared responsibility that inspired Gill to take a more active role in her community.
This experience reinforced a core belief that Gill would carry with her on her active citizenship journey: if you want to improve something, you need to step in and contribute.

A Commitment to Belonging

For Gill, belonging to a community is inseparable from committing to it. “Unless you commit to the community, you don’t belong to the community,” she says. This belief isn’t just a personal sentiment- it’s a value she strives to instill in her children, aged 14 and 18. “You;ve got to love your community to be a part of it,” she explains. It’s this mindset that motivates Gill to keep giving back, so today she wears many hats: president of the Dampier Community Associate, a board member of Reach Us Pilbara, and an elected member for the city of Karratha.

People as the heart of community engagement
What motivates Gill to volunteers is simple- people. She loves connecting with others and believes volunteering fosters growth and stability, especially in remote areas like the Pilbara. “You need to feel connected to the community,” she explains. She knows the importance of relationships in a place where many live far from family.
Building Connection is a Transient Region
The Pilbara’s transient population presents challenges to building long-term connections. However, it also offers opportunities for newcomers to engage. With many organisations relying on volunteers, Grill emphasises the role of individuals in keeping these groups running, despite the region’s small and changing population.

The Challenges of Volunteering
Active Citizenship/Volunteering faces several challenges in the Pilbara, particularly with time constraints and financial pressures. As work demands rise and people want to spend more of their off-time at home, it’s harder to get people to volunteer. “COVID changed how people view their time,” Gill notes, adding that people are less willing to step into community roles.

Making Volunteering Fun Again
Gill believes that volunteering needs to be engaging, especially for younger generations. She leads by example, hoping others will do the same. “If I give so much, then hopefully others will see that, and they will too,” she shares, believing that a positive, enjoyable experience is key to re-engaging people in actively engaging in their community.

Local Government’s Role in Supporting Volunteers
Local Governments and organisations have a vital role in encouraging community involvement. Gill acknowledges that the Pilbara’s local governments already provide significant support to nonprofits but stresses the need for continued resources, especially for volunteer-driven organisations. “Local Governments can’t do everything,” she pointed out. “They need to support nonprofits to thrive.”

The First Step Towards Active Citizenship
Gill’s advice for anyone looking to become more active in their community is simple: take the first step. Volunteering, even in small ways, leads to meaningful connections, personal growth, and lasting impact. “Just do it!” She encourages. “Once you take that first step the rewards far outweigh the effort.”

Gill Furlong’s story is an inspiring reminder of the power of active citizenship. By embracing a philosophy of community service, she has created meaningful connections, built stronger relationships, and helped shape the future of her regions. Her story is a call to all of us to step outside our comfort zones, contribute how and where we can, and become a part of the colourful quilt of our community!