Mackay grandmother Linda Veurman said she was “shocked and amazed” to be named Mater’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year – but her night of surprises did not stop there.
By coincidence, two Mater doctors who helped save her life by diagnosing and removing a tumour growing next to her brain stem were both also honoured at the Mater People Awards evening in Brisbane.
After collecting her award, Ms Veurman caught up with Mater Private Hospital Mackay ENT specialist Dr Luke Reid and Mater Private Hospital Brisbane neurosurgeon Dr Martin Wood to congratulate them on their awards – and say a heartfelt thank-you.
Ms Veurman, 60, began volunteering at Mater Private Hospital Mackay in 2017, determined to give back to the community during her retirement.
But the next year she became a Mater patient herself after seeing Dr Reid to discuss what she thought was a sinus problem.
“Dr Reid sent me for a hearing test, that I failed pretty badly, and then sent me for an MRI – which is when they picked up the tumour in my ear,” Ms Veurman said.
“It had started pressing on my brain stem and I was told that if it wasn’t treated it may have caused me to pass away in a couple of years’ time.
“I went to the Mater in Brisbane for a 10-hour operation and Dr Wood was one of the surgeons who helped to remove the tumour.
“They are both excellent doctors who deserve their awards and to be there to win an award alongside them on the same night was unbelievable – it was a very special night!”
Dr Reid and Dr Wood both received the Contribution to Clinical Excellence – Doctor award for their service to Mater and its patients.
Dr Reid has been Mackay’s sole full-time ENT specialist for more than a decade, treating both private and public patients, while also teaching at James Cook University and mentoring international medical graduates.
Dr Wood is one of Queensland’s most respected neurosurgeons, renowned for pioneering minimally invasive spinal surgery and performing Australia’s first in utero surgery for spina bifida.
He is also the co-founder and chairman of the Brainchild Foundation, a children’s brain tumour charity.
Also among the night’s winners was Georgia Strydom, Nurse Unit Manager of the medical ward at Mater Private Hospital Mackay, who received Mater’s Emerging Leadership award for her commitment to service excellence and compassionate care.
As a ward volunteer, Ms Veurman supports Mater patients and nurses by ensuring wards always have ample stocks of medical and other supplies, while also acting as ‘concierge’ for patients as they are discharged.
“I love that I can help the nurses in their work, making their jobs a bit easier, and whenever a patient is being discharged I get a call to accompany
Mackay grandmother Linda Veurman was named Mater’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year, sharing the stage with the two doctors who once saved her life - a heartfelt full-circle moment of gratitude and service. Photos supplied
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