National Volunteer Week

Published on 13 May 2022

This National Volunteer Week, West Wimmera Shire Council is celebrating the incredible people who volunteer in our region.

National Volunteer Week is a chance to recognise the vital work of volunteers in the community, and to say thank you to everyone who puts up their hand to make West Wimmera Shire a better place to live, work and play.

According to the 2016 Census, West Wimmera Shire has the highest rate of volunteering in Victoria, with 44.9 per cent of the population lending a hand.

Mayor Bruce Meyer said volunteers were the backbone of small communities.

“Many Council services couldn’t operate without the tireless work of our volunteers,” he said.

“Services such as Meals on Wheels, taxis and car services, and companion programs, are vital to our region and they rely on the support of volunteers.

“We have many other service groups and sporting clubs that require huge amounts of volunteer hours to operate.

“It is always great to see so many people willing to lend a hand.”

The theme for National Volunteer Week this year is Better Together.

Cr Meyer said during the past few years of the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers were more important than ever.

“Many volunteer-run services still had to continue to support the vulnerable members of our communities,” he said.

“Our volunteers were required to complete their usual tasks, while wearing face masks and adjusting to changing state government directions on lockdowns, social distancing, density limits and travel restrictions.

“Volunteers have continued to help keep our communities running throughout the pandemic and have provided great support to people in need.”

“We want to say a huge thank you to all volunteers in West Wimmera Shire.”

For more information about volunteering in West Wimmera Shire, visit our volunteering page.