Minister seeks to strengthen communities through volunteering

23 January 2008 | Minister for Fair Trading, Youth and Volunteering

NSW Minister for Volunteering, Linda Burney, today supported the Governor General's
Australia Day message and his call for more Australians to volunteer.

"Australia Day is the perfect time to encourage people to volunteer. It's a time when Australians of all backgrounds come together to celebrate what's great about this country, and to think about what we can do to make it even greater," Ms Burney said.

"The generous act of volunteering is one of our most special Australian characteristics."

"Australia Day also gives us the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many fantastic members of our community who already volunteer."

Last year, in NSW alone 1.4 million people volunteered. They worked 235 million volunteer hours, making an incredible economic contribution to the State estimated at $5 billion.

The Iemma Government recognises the positive difference volunteers make to our communities, and to the people and environment around them.

"We know from research that communities with high levels of volunteering are stronger and more harmonious and that people who volunteer and participate in their communities are healthier, happier and live longer," Ms Burney said.

The Government has set specific targets for volunteering in the State Plan to increase the overall levels of volunteering in NSW, and to diversify the volunteer workforce.

"It's important to remember that volunteering isn't just about fighting fires. There are tens of thousands of people across the state who give their time generously to helping neighbours, schools, sports clubs and local hospitals, or who join environmental groups such as Bushcare. Each and every one of these people is a valued volunteer."

"If you want to volunteer, you'll be surprised at the extraordinary range of organisations that need volunteers and the wide range of skills required – there's a volunteer role to suit everyone."

A good starting point for anyone interested in volunteering is to contact the NSW Centre for Volunteering, the State's peak volunteering organisation. Visit www.volunteering.com.au or call 9261 3600. They can assist in finding a placement that suits your skills and available time.

For those wishing to volunteer their professional skills to a charity or community group, the organisation goodcompany can help (visit www.goodcompany.com.au).

Media contact
Phyllis Sakinofsky
T: 9228 4455
M: 0406 164 034