Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, National Volunteer Week (May 16 to 22, 2022), is underway for 2022.
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the generous contribution of Western Australia’s volunteers, whose selfless work benefits our communities.
The McGowan Government is committed to supporting volunteering and volunteer involving organisations in our community, and contributes more than $1.4 million in funding to the State’s volunteering sector each year.
A total of 178 organisations located in areas across the State, including Broome, Esperance, the Cocos Islands and Christmas Island, are sharing in more than $200,000 in Lotterywest grant funding to acknowledge and celebrate their volunteers during National Volunteer Week.
Events are being held across the State to thank volunteers for their vital work, culminating in the 2022 Volunteer Service Awards, which recognises people who have contributed over 25 years of service to a single organisation.
About four out of five Western Australians aged 15 years and over volunteer in some way each year. The combined economic, social and cultural value that volunteering brings to WA has been calculated to more than $39 billion.
Volunteering helps people develop stronger social networks and friendships, which is important for keeping mentally and physically active. Volunteering roles can also lead to the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, therefore improving employability.
As stated by Volunteering Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The theme for National Volunteer Week 2022 is ‘Better Together’, referring to the strength volunteering has in bringing people together, building communities and creating a better society for everyone.
“It is vital that in Western Australia, given our vast geography and population, we encourage a diverse and well-established volunteer workforce.
“I have seen extraordinary people and organisations continue to contribute, without hesitation, lending an essential hand where it was most needed and assisting people and communities in recovering from crisis.
“On behalf of the McGowan Government and as the Volunteering Minister, I say thank you to all the incredible volunteers across Western Australia. Our State simply could not function without your selfless efforts and dedication.”
