Moderator's Community Service Medal - Don and Judy Ross

The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod Moderator’s Community Service Medal is awarded for outstanding contribution to the community.

DON ROSS
For more than fifty years, Don Ross has been a quiet yet remarkable pillar of service within the St Stephen’s Uniting Church community. Through his extraordinary gift of music, Don has brought comfort, joy, and spiritual uplift to countless people. As a dedicated organist, he has played for worship services, weddings, funerals, charity concerts, and special community events, sharing his talent with unwavering generosity. His long-standing involvement in the choir and various musical ensembles has further enriched the life of the congregation.

Beyond his musical contributions, Don has devoted decades to practical acts of service. He has supported church members no longer able to mow or maintain their gardens, tended the church grounds with care, and prepared spaces for services and events through countless hours of behind-the-scenes work. His commitment has extended to garage sales, mission fundraising, and faithfully serving as an Elder and member of the property and finance committee.

Don’s impact reaches far beyond tasks and roles. His music has touched hearts, offering hope and joy to those who listen. His thoughtful preparation for services—particularly Communion—has helped open the hearts of congregants and deepen their worship experience. His gentle presence, readiness to help, and humble spirit have uplifted generations.

Known as a quiet achiever who never seeks recognition, Don has nonetheless made a profound difference to more than 500 people over the course of his service. His selflessness, kindness, and lifelong dedication embody the very best of community service. Don is deeply admired, greatly appreciated, and wholeheartedly deserving of this honour.

Thank you, Don for your continued outstanding service.

JUDY ROSS (awarded posthumously)
For more than fifty years, the late Judy Ross has been a steadfast, faithful, and compassionate presence within the St Stephen’s Uniting Church Toowoomba community. Judy passed away in September 2025, but her dedication over the years has touched generations. Those who have grown up in the church fondly recall her warmth, encouragement, and the way she consistently supported them, whether through thoughtful conversation, practical help, or her much-loved baking. Her gentle influence has inspired many to follow her example of kindness and service.

Judy’s commitment to supporting Pacific communities, including those from Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga, has been longstanding and heartfelt, reflecting her deep care for people and her desire to see their lives enriched and strengthened.

Across decades, Judy contributed to almost every aspect of church life. She served as an Elder, supported and sang in the church choir, prepared the church for worship and events through floristry and behind-the-scenes care, and worked tirelessly on the combined Mission Committee to organise garage sales and book sales. She continued to bring awareness of global needs to the congregation with dedication and humility. Her involvement in the Women’s Fellowship, where she helped raise funds for local and international projects, demonstrated her generous heart and commitment to community wellbeing. Her readiness to appear at a family’s door with homemade food during difficult times remains one of the many ways she embodied quiet compassion.

Much of what she did remained unseen, yet was deeply felt across the congregation and wider Toowoomba community. Together with her husband Don, she would spend each day looking for opportunities to assist others, forming a truly remarkable partnership of service. Judy inspired others not only through what she did, but through who she was. She consistently found ways to meet needs, locally and overseas, and encouraged others to do the same. Her leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment to service reflect a lifetime devoted to lifting others up. She touched countless lives, and we celebrate her as a most deserving recipient of the Moderator’s Community Service Medal. The Medal was accepted by Julie, Don & Judy's daughter.