To mark National Volunteer Week, Ararat Rural City Council invited the community to join a special celebration to honour the municipality's volunteers last Thursday.
National Volunteer Week is Australia's largest annual celebration of volunteering, with this year's theme "connecting communities", celebrating the power of volunteering to bring people together.
Ararat Rural City community members and volunteers came together at Ararat's J Ward Museum to enjoy a free BBQ, kindly put on by the Ararat Lions Club, and a complimentary visit to the J Ward Museum, courtesy of Friends of J Ward.
Friends of J Ward staff led attendees on a tour through the museum, providing a chance for volunteers to connect with one another and for the community to learn about J Ward, as well as hear about their experiences as Friends of J Ward volunteers, and ask questions.
Ararat Rural City Deputy Mayor, Cr Bob Sanders, emphasised the positive impact that volunteering has on the community, stating that "Volunteering helps people develop stronger networks and friendships, learn new skills and helps communities come together."
"Our volunteers truly form the backbone of our rural community. They donate hundreds of hours of their time to keep our vital services, clubs and organisations running. Ararat Rural City simply could not function without their selfless efforts."
For those in the community seeking to connect with a local group or club, a directory of community organisations is available on Council's website. Community members can also submit a request to add their group or update existing details via the online form.
