Page 2085 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 15 May 2013
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The question is: why do so many people volunteer? There are numerous benefits. Often they have been measured; they have been recorded and documented. The most important of the benefits, of course, are the development of social cohesion and a healthier, more vibrant community. There are also many benefits for the individual person who volunteers. It is a chance to connect with their community, to meet people and to make friends. Volunteering also adds to increased confidence and self-esteem. It can also be an opportunity to develop new skills such as practical IT skills and media and organisation skills, and even to pass those back to the community.
Volunteers work in many areas including organisations relating to the environment, health, welfare, sport, recreation, education, human rights, arts, religion, community services and emergency services. Many volunteers also work alone unrecognised, providing informal support within their neighbourhood. Volunteering also has practical health benefits. It has been said older people who volunteer have longer life expectancy.
Just because volunteer work is unpaid, it does not mean that the skills learned are necessarily basic. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. For example, some volunteers become experienced crisis counsellors. Others volunteer for a men’s or women’s shelter or become a knowledgeable guide while donating to the National Gallery or the Australian War Memorial. Volunteering can also build upon skills that volunteers already have and use them to great benefit in the community.
When it comes to volunteering, passion and positivity are the only requirements. Many people find that volunteering is a fun way, an easy way, to explore interests and passions. By doing volunteer work, many people find meaningful and interesting ways to relax and escape from day-to-day work, school or family commitments. It also provides opportunities for renewed creativity, motivation and vision that can carry over into volunteers’ personal and professional lives.
Volunteering ACT is an amazing Canberra organisation which brings together many, but not all, Canberra organisations that work with volunteers. Volunteering ACT is guided by previous Canberran of the Year CEO Maureen Cane and her volunteer board. Volunteering ACT is a membership-based not-for-profit peak body for volunteering in the ACT, representing volunteers and volunteer organisations in various government and community consultations and forums.
One thing that the Volunteering ACT does organise, of course, is the volunteer of the year awards. In previous years it has been won by some incredible Canberrans. I would like to note some of those category winners from 2013: ACT volunteer of the year was Peter Russell, nominated by the YMCA of Canberra. ACT volunteer team of 2013, the Lanyon Youth and Community Volunteers, was nominated by the YWCA of Canberra.
Going through some of the individual category winners, you can see the diversity here in terms of who has won. In the arts and environment category, in the highly commended award went to Kerin Cox, who was nominated by the National Gallery of Australia voluntary guides association. I would like to read out what each of them has
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