National Volunteer Week: Say Thanks to 6 Million Volunteers

Where would we be without our country’s 6 million volunteers?  

Today marks the start of National Volunteer Week, which runs from the 13^th to the 19^th May.  It is a week designed to say thanks to those throughout the country who volunteer, and to raise the profile of volunteering in the community.

Australia ranks third top three giving nations on the World Giving Index with more than 6 million people volunteer throughout Australia each year.  This represents approximately 36% of the adult population, according to Volunteering Australia, and they do it for the love of it.   Volunteering can offer great rewards of thanks, friendship and the feeling of doing something valuable in the community.  Contributing to the community is very important to the majority of volunteers.

National Volunteer Week (NVW2013) is Australia’s largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism. It supports the evolving culture of giving in this country, and Volunteers Australia want to proudly showcase it, and help its continuation so they ask all of us to get involved and say “thanks”.

You can share a message of thanks with Volunteers on Facebook this week at https://www.facebook.com/volunteeringaus

Meet two of the inspiriational volunteers being thanked during National Volunteer Week

Louise

Louises paid and voluntary work has centred on helping others, using natural medicine to heal the mind, body and spirit. A reiki practitioner, trained counsellor and massage therapist, Louise believes in every persons right to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

Over the last five years, Louise has volunteered for community services in the Eastern suburbs including counselling and support to fire survivors in the Yarra Glen area after the Black Saturday bushfires.

She is currently volunteering with Eastern Palliative Care (EPA) as she says she now finds herself drawn to palliative care and grief and loss counselling.

“I meet the most interesting people; they have all lived amazing lives and gone through hardships. Im a good listener and find their stories fascinating.  I get so much out of it,” said Louise.

A people person who thoroughly enjoys interacting with others through her voluntary work, Louise sums up her involvement by saying:   knowing I can make somebodys day a bit better is a good feeling.

Louise THANKS A MILLION!

Lindsay

He has retired (four times) but still works part-time and is actively involved in several organisations in a voluntary capacity.  Lindsay is an energetic man who is passionate about making a difference saying the world should be a better place and I share personal responsibility for making it so.

Speaking about volunteering, Lindsay said “Volunteering has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember”.

From working on committees to running boards in senior positions, Lindsay’s commitment to the organisations that he puts his hand up to serve is inspiring.  His main voluntary commitments are on boards for Life Activities Clubs Victoria and CPA Australia. He has just completed eight years as chair for the Third Age Network (TAN) and  still finds   time to be involved in TANs subcommittees.

He was also one of half a dozen people that started and grew a thriving U3A (seniors educational organisation) where he also taught and filled most committee roles for 10 years.

In summing up wvolhat drives him to volunteer, Lindsay said, “I think it is the good feeling I get when I achieve something that I think adds value to some sector of the community making something better for someone.  I have developed a lot of skills over a long and varied career both paid and unpaid and we never stop learning so we should never stop giving back.”

Lindsay – THANKS A MILLION!

Have you volunteered this year?  Tell us about it in the comments field below…