Cr Bill Pearson with Hennie Van Der Velde, Barbara Piper, Mary Hansen and Lorraine Stephenson of the Bunyip Choir.THE tireless efforts of Cardinia volunteers were celebrated at a special reception held in their honour last week.
Hundreds of representatives from volunteer organisations across the shire attended the annual mayoral reception held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
Mayor Bill Ronald said the annual volunteer reception was just one way in which council expressed its appreciation for the wonderful work carried out by volunteers.
Cr Ronald described the reception as one of the best he had been to.
He said there was a “great feeling” among the guests.
“There are 530 volunteer organisations in our shire that we are aware of,” Cr Ronald said.
“If each of these has an average of just 10 volunteers each, we would have 5300 volunteers almost a tenth of our population.
“I think this says a lot about the kind of municipality in which we live.”
Volunteer organisations in Cardinia cover every aspect of community life, including the arts, heritage, tourism, the environment, young people, family and community support, crafts, animals/wildlife, sport and recreation, fire and emergency services, opportunity shops, cemeteries, scouts and guides, schools, township committees and associations, halls, church groups, neighbourhood houses, community newsletters and leisure activities, just to mention a few.
Cr Ronald said volunteering not only benefited the community but provided a great sense of satisfaction to the volunteers.
“Volunteers feel good about what they’re doing and are able to develop a strong sense of belonging, friendship, and camaraderie.
“People volunteer for a number of reasons to give something back to the community, because they have previously been helped themselves, because they want to learn new skills or share their knowledge, or simply because they have the time.
“Whatever the reason, volunteers are the backbone of our community and we truly appreciate all the wonderful work they do.”
