Valuing Victoria’s Volunteers

On International Volunteer Day (5 Dec), let’s take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of Victoria’s army of volunteers to communities and fellow Victorians across the state.

From firefighting to lifesaving, disaster recovery and clean up, pre-school care to adult education, sport and recreation, community health, Arts, heritage, tourism, local government, volunteers play a vital role.

Victorians of all ages, all cultural and language backgrounds, and people of different abilities all have an important role to play through volunteering.

The Victorian Government has allocated $5.2m over four years to support volunteering across the state, and in October, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development launched the $400,000 Valuing Diversity in Volunteering program at Victoria’s inaugural VolunteerFest.

Valuing Diversity in Volunteering will deliver a series of events over the next four years, celebrating volunteering throughout the year, championing volunteers from all backgrounds, and recognising the important contribution people from diverse backgrounds make to strengthening Victorian communities through volunteering.

The program will also promote the diverse range of volunteering opportunities available.

Visit Victoria’s Volunteering Portal www.volunteer.vic.gov.au to find your next volunteering opportunity.

International Volunteer Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 and it is now celebrated worldwide. Thousands of volunteers are involved in a range of International Volunteer Day initiatives including clean-up campaigns, conferences, exhibitions and morning teas, all aimed to highlight and celebrate the role of volunteers in their communities.