Nearly 1 million volunteers in Victoria make a difference in our communities by giving up their time to causes they believe in – whether its working at an op shop, supporting all abilities AFL, fighting bush-fires or offering companionship and assistance to older residents.
"Each year, Volunteering Victoria works towards promoting the social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits of volunteering to individuals and communities" says Scott Miller, Chief Executive of Volunteering Victoria. "If we have learned one thing, it's that people of all abilities and backgrounds can make a world of difference through volunteering".
This year, National Volunteer Week is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the theme: Making a world of difference. From 20 - 26 May 2019, hundreds of events and celebrations take place across the country, offering an opportunity for orgnaisations to thank and recognize their volunteers' invaluable and diverse contribution to the lives of others.
Lizzie Blandthorn, the new Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers acknowledged the many contributions of volunteers in Victoria.
"Volunteers help in so many ways, be it fighting bushfires, planting trees, rescuing animals, keeping kids engaged and active through sporting clubs, helping others learn, running soup vans, op shops, food banks and mothers day stalls, and even sitting with people at the end of their lives, and that's only a few examples of how volunteers give of their time and talents."
"The Victorian Government values and recognises the contributions of volunteers. We know how rich society is because of the many contributions volunteers make across the state" Blandthorn adds.
"Volunteering offers people a sense of agency, responsibility, sense-making, and connection against isolation and individualism. Volunteering opens the space for people to grow communities and hold fast to supporting those currently being left-behind," states Miller.
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