National Volunteer Week is an annual event which recognises the vital contribution that millions of volunteers around our country make to their communities.
This year’s event will take place from 15-21 May and its theme is ‘The Change Makers’. This theme acknowledges volunteer’s ability to drive positive change in the lives of others in their myriad of capacities as caregivers, guardians, energisers, defenders, and communicators.
As Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “Volunteers are one of the cornerstones of a socially cohesive community, they are the glue that keep us together.
“On behalf of all of the residents of the Blue Mountains, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who volunteers their time to the service of others. We appreciate, commend and applaud you for your tireless efforts to support our community.”
Council will be hanging its ‘Thank You’ banners in the City during Volunteers Week, as a gesture of thanks for volunteers.
The Centre for Volunteering estimates almost 4.9 million people in NSW volunteer, contributing more than 1.5 billion hours which is valued at approximately $127 billion.
In the Blue Mountains there are numerous community-based organisations and services that rely on volunteers – such as the Blue Mountains City Council run Bushcare program, which co-ordinates over 500 volunteers on a range of bush regeneration, weed management and planting projects from Lapstone through to Mount Victoria.
Council also has many volunteers who give their time for Council Committees, Clean Up Australia Day, graffiti removal, as well as programs at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.
Other volunteering projects in our community include managing sports, managing community assets, supporting families after the birth of a child, running playgroups, supporting people in their homes, as well as providing management to community organisations among many other activities.
Volunteering can be a mutually benefitting and satisfying experience – for those offering their time, experience, skills and resources and to those receiving assistance that may have otherwise not been available to them. One of the key benefits of volunteering comes from developing community connections, as well as learning new skills and strengthening a sense of belonging and purpose.
To find out more about volunteering in the Blue Mountains go to: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/community/volunteering
To find out more about volunteering around Australia go to:
https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/get-involved/nvw
