National Volunteer Week finishes today - Thanks a million to all volunteers

Today completes this year's National Volunteers Week where we had an an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution that volunteers make in the our community.

There are currently more than six million hardworking volunteers in Australia who contribute more than 700 million hours of unpaid work each year to our community

This year's National Volunteers Week theme was ‘Thanks a Million’, and on behalf of the community and I would like to thank our local volunteers for their tireless efforts. Volunteers support our community through a range of activities, from volunteering at the local SES to providing meals, clothing and financial assistance to the needy. 

National Volunteers Week not only provides an occasion to pay tribute to the significant contribution made by volunteers, it also encourages people to seek out opportunities to be a volunteer.

The nominations for the 2013 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award are also now open and will close Friday 30 August, 2013. The NSW Volunteer of the Year Award recognises the outstanding efforts of volunteers in NSW. I encourage locals to nominate a volunteer that is deserving of recognition.

There is always a need for more volunteers in New South Wales. Corporate and small businesses can also take the opportunity to encourage volunteerism amongst their employees by encouraging those with specific skills to donate their time and services.

Volunteering involves not only delivering meals on wheels or coaching a junior soccer team - but people can also volunteer by donating their specific skills such as legal, trade, hospitality or accounting services.” 

For more information regarding volunteering opportunities, please contact the Centre for Volunteering on (02) 9261 3600 or visit www.volunteering.com.au.