BEGA Valley Shire Council will celebrate National Volunteers Week by acknowledging the power of lending a hand and the valuable assistance that volunteers offer throughout Australia.
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National Volunteers Week is next week.
Bega Valley Shire Council’s volunteering coordinator Nathan Marshall said volunteers are an essential asset to our community by keeping many important community services and facilities maintained.
“In recognition of our community volunteers, this year council will host a range of events to celebrate their dedication and hard work,” he said.
“These include a free community barbecue, entertainment, a street performance, live music, volunteering information and giveaways.”
Mr Marshall said many volunteers don’t expect reward for their volunteering efforts, but a simple ‘thank you’ to identify their input is important.
“National Volunteer Week is a great opportunity to thank everybody who selflessly lends a hand; it ensures that all the shire’s volunteers are recognised for their community spirit.
“We are inviting everyone who is a volunteer, even in a small way, as well as those who benefit from volunteers in the community, to join us in recognising the value of volunteers.”
Events will be held in Littleton Gardens on Friday from 9am until 1.30pm; Dickinson Oval, Bermagui, Saturday from 10.30am until 1.30pm; Imlay St, Eden on May 15 from 10.30am until 1.30pm; and at Hylands Corner, Merimbula, on May 16 from 10.30am until 1.30pm.
Mr Marshall said Volunteer Week would also be used to launch a Timebanking pilot in the shire.
“Council has been chosen to partner with the NSW Office of Communities to run a pilot of the Timebanking project,” he said.
“Council staff will be promoting the project, signing up volunteers and organisations and offering guidance and training on how to maximise community benefits.
“Timebanking brings volunteering into the 21st century – it not only allows volunteers to ‘bank’ the hours they volunteer as a means of being recognised, but they can also donate their hours to support those in need so, in effect, they can volunteer once and give twice.
“The Timebanking platform also acts as a volunteer matching and resource centre for people looking to volunteer and organisations or individuals looking for volunteers.
“People are encouraged to come down to the Volunteer Week events to find out more, or log onto www.timebanking.com.au,” Mr Marshall said.
For more information about council’s volunteering team call 6499 2222 or email volunteers@begavalley.nsw.gov.au.
