Volunteering Celebrations Underway Across the Nation

The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce, and her husband Mr Bryce, volunteered at the St Vinnie's Fitzroy soup van in Melbourne last night. All photos courtesy of Casamento Photography.

The theme for National Volunteer Week 2012 is: Volunteers – Every One Counts and state based organisations have begun celebrations across the nation.

Volunteering Australia says the theme sends a strong message to existing volunteers that they are valued and supports potential volunteers by reinforcing that every single volunteer makes an important contribution to the broader community.

In Volunteering Australia’s most recent survey 68.3% of respondents said that their organisation needs more volunteers.

The Minister for Social Inclusion, Mark Butler, will officially launch the week of celebrations at a special Volunteering Australia event in Melbourne tonight.

Volunteering Australia says Australia’s volunteers are essential to society, and many Not for Profits would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers.

A highlight of the event will be the official launch of the report, State of Volunteering in Australia.

Victoria’s army of dedicated volunteers have been formally thanked for their contribution to the State at the launch of National Volunteer Week by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan.

Ryan said volunteers came from all walks of life and were often the lifeblood of Victorian communities.

“More than 1.5 million Victorians make a huge contribution to our local communities as volunteers, doing important work across a range of sectors such as emergency services, in health and ageing, education, social justice, heritage and culture, and sport and recreation,” Ryan said.

“The courageous and sensitive support of local volunteers both during and following devastating emergencies such as bushfires and floods has been particularly highlighted in recent years.

Volunteering Victoria has also launch its new website to coincide with NVW: www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au

Photo courtesy Volunteering Qld

Volunteering Qld, in partnership with Westpac has recognised the efforts of its 1.1 million volunteers with ‘One Big Thank You’, kicking off with a mid-morning community BBQ today led by Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk.

‘One Big Thank You’ hosted conversations with community groups sharing volunteer stories and videos, live streamed to volunteering supporters across Queensland.

Volunteering Qld CEO, Jelenko Dragisic says volunteers come from all different ages, backgrounds and professions but are united in their efforts to help the causes they care about.

“From large Not for Profits to informal community groups to corporate volunteering programs, volunteers all actively participate, giving their skills, time and energy to create healthy and vibrant communities,” Dragisic said.

“Volunteering is an essential element of a thriving civil society and we cannot take volunteers for granted”.

Westpac Qld State General Manager (Commercial & Agribusiness) Rod Kelly added that the Bank is proud to once again partner with Volunteering Qld in recognising and thanking volunteers across the state.

Vununteering NSW’s Volunteer Army is taking over Sydney's Martin Place today with a Volunteering Awareness Display and Information Stand.

Nominations have also opened for the the NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. Check out www.nswvolunteerawards.com
2012 South Australian and Northern Territory and West Australian Volunteer of the Year Awards will be announced during National Volunteer Week.

In Western Australia, the recipients will be announced at a 2012 National Volunteer Week Gala Dinner on Wednesday 16 May.

Follow all the NVW celebrations on Twitter using the hashtag #nvw2012