Community volunteers are returning to Brimbank as Council prepares to celebrate National Volunteer Week by honouring new and longer term helpers.
More than 100 volunteers will be acknowledged for their service – including 21 who have volunteered for 10 years or more.
Brimbank currently has 365 registered volunteers – down from the 400-plus before COVID-19. Brimbank volunteers range in age from 17 to 88.
During lockdown, many volunteer programs were scaled back for safety reasons, with only programs that could be run remotely continuing – such as the Community Register where volunteers check in with vulnerable residents with regular phone calls.
As restrictions have eased, Brimbank has seen the gradual, safe return of about 100 volunteers to active roles in our community – and Council looks forward to safely welcoming back even more volunteers as people feel comfortable returning to old roles and taking on new commitments.
Volunteering at Brimbank is open to people from all walks of life, and with different skills and experiences. There are many different ways to volunteer, including:
- Libraries – reading programs, home library service, book clubs and craft groups
- Friends Groups
- Social support groups
- Neighbourhood Houses – assisting with programs, walking groups, activities and playgroups
- Community Register – phone welfare checks.
Volunteering can be a pathway to employment, enhancing skills and learn new ones.
National Volunteer Week runs from 17 to 23 May. This year, the theme is Recognise, Reconnect and Reimagine. Brimbank will celebrate volunteers with an event in June.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic said:
“National Volunteer Week is a chance to stop and thank the hundreds of people who make time in their busy lives to give back to the community through our volunteer program,” Cr Rasic said.
“Our 365 volunteers reflect Brimbank’s diversity, between them speaking 51 languages and coming from 45 different countries.
“Brimbank volunteers really are special people – and we are so grateful for their ongoing commitment to our community.
“As we all adjust to COVID-normal, safety continues to be our first priority – we understand that many volunteers may want to wait before they return, or consider different types of volunteering.
“We are committed to recognising all of our volunteers, safely reconnecting, and reimagining the way we work alongside and support our volunteers.”
