Not by any means. But from this week, volunteering is definitely in The Rocks, Sydney. The state body for volunteering, The Centre for Volunteering (incorporating Volunteering NSW and the School of Volunteer Management), has moved to 40 Gloucester Street, The Rocks.
Robert Noble, Acting Group Manager Property Management, Sydney Harbour
Foreshore Authority; Joy Woodhouse, Chair, The Centre for Volunteering,
the Hon. Peter Primrose, Minister for Volunteering and Lynne Dalton, CEO,
The Centre for Volunteering.
Thirty seven years ago in 1974, a volunteering bureau was started (under NSW Council for the Aging) a few blocks away at Argyle Place by Rose Miller. Since then Volunteering NSW has grown in size and scope to provide a wide range of services to volunteers, volunteer managers, not-for-profit organisations and communities across NSW.
The Minister for Volunteering, The Hon. Peter Primrose MLC was on hand to officially open the doors of the new premises on Tuesday, 8 March, 11am. Lynne Dalton, CEO of The Centre for Volunteering, said of the move: "This is a great opportunity to bring Volunteering NSW into a new chapter of service provision, building on our strong foundation. The volunteering bureau in 1974 was built on the same aspirations we value today – to support communities and individuals across NSW through volunteering in all its forms".
The Centre for Volunteering would like to acknowledge the generous financial support it received from the Minister for Communities Services, the Hon. Linda Burney. This funding assisted in covering the costs of moving office from The Centre's previous Pitt Street location to its new location in The Rocks. Before being appointed Minister for Communities Services, Ms Burney was the second Minister for Volunteering in NSW.
The Centre for Volunteering is the peak body in NSW, promoting and supporting volunteering and community participation. The Centre is a not-for-profit organisation and includes Volunteering NSW, its service delivery arm, and the School of Volunteer Management (SVM), a registered training organisation. The Centre for Volunteering connects people and organisations in order to enrich its community. The Centre's achieves this through its range of services and programs, which include:
- Volunteer Referral Service (matching volunteers to positions in not-for-profit organisations)
- Annual NSW Volunteer of the Year Award (recognising the tireless efforts of volunteers across NSW)
- School of Volunteer Management (training volunteer managers, supervisors and volunteers)
- Youth Volunteering Program (linking school students to volunteer opportunities)
- Research and Policy (conducting a wide variety of research on volunteering)
- Resource development
- Information and Education Services to help people get involved in their communities
- Enhancing the capacity and skills of not-for-profit organisations, corporations and government to become involved in the community.
Volunteering provides many benefits to the volunteer, as well as providing invaluable support to not-for-profit organisations across NSW, and the communities they support through their programs. Do something for yourself and your community – consider volunteering today!
More Information and Interviews
Kristin Romanis, Marketing and Communications | T 02 9261 3600 | M 0412 313 359
Lynne Dalton, CEO | T 02 9261 3600 | M 0413 418 314