THIS week has been National Volunteer Week (May 16-22) and is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.

This year Volunteering Australia is recognising the volunteers that make our communities stronger, especially during times of need, crisis, or isolation, and the theme is ‘Better Together’.

Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) has been highlighting local volunteers over the last week on social media, and residents are invited to get involved by drawing a smiley face on your hand, take a photo, and add a comment to any of Council’s Volunteer Week posts.

SGSC mayor, Bruach Colliton, said Volunteer Week provides an important opportunity to reflect upon the amazing work they do within the community.

“We couldn't let National Volunteers Week go by without saying a huge thank you to all of our valued volunteers who improve the lives of others,” he said.

“Whether that’s getting involved in our emergency services to keep our region safe, to support our local kids sporting teams by cutting up the half time oranges, or leading the community via various groups – the work you do is invaluable.

“We have several areas at Council where we have volunteers on board, providing vital support to our community.

“Whether it is in helping our region’s youth gain valuable driving experience through our L2P program, assisting residents and tourists at our Visitor Information Centres, or delivering meals and having a chat with our senior citizens, we are extremely grateful for the time and effort these volunteers devote to making our region a better place.”

34 per cent of Southern Grampians residents aged 15 and over volunteer in some way, compared to the state average of just over 19 per cent.

Southern Grampians L2P coordinator, Eda Williamson, said without the generosity of the wonderful mentors in the program who volunteer their time, the program wouldn’t succeed.

“I am incredibly grateful to all my mentors who help change the lives of youth in our program,” she said.

Moyne Shire mayor, Ian Smith said volunteering helped bring people and communities together.

“Volunteers are a vital part of our community,” he said.

“They help build connections and a sense of belonging, and in most cases, if they hadn't put their hand up, things just wouldn’t happen.

"This National Volunteer Week we thank the dedicated volunteers across Moyne who donate their time to keep our community services running - from the local footy and netball club through to emergency services.”

A new report has revealed volunteers are essential to Australia’s crisis resilience.

With flooding, fires, and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, the past few years have undoubtably been tough for all Australians.

Holding us up in these times of crisis are over one million volunteers supporting Australia’s crisis resilience, of which more than 400,000 work directly in emergency response and relief.

On top of this, many thousands of often ‘invisible’ volunteers help informally and spontaneously to support communities before and after crises.

Volunteering Australia chief executive, Mark Pearce, acknowledged how instrumental volunteers have been throughout the events of the last few years.

“Volunteers contribute significantly across crisis prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery in many key roles,” he said.

“The aftermath and the impact of disasters are felt long after an event has taken place.

“Volunteers provide support to those affected by crises, including in mental health and suicide prevention services, which typically experience a surge in demand during and after disasters.”

Mr Pearce highlighted Lifeline, which engages 10,000 volunteers across Australia.

In 2018, these volunteers answered 739,481 calls and initiated 5840 emergency interventions for Australians in need of crisis support.

The volunteer hours that have supported Lifeline’s crisis helpline increased from just under 20,000 per month in 2019 to around 24,000 per month in 2021, peaking at 25,682 in August 2021.

As one of the world’s largest volunteer emergency services with more than 1200 brigades across Victoria, the CFA is also celebrating it’s 54,000 volunteers.

“Our members selflessly provide assistance to community members across the state, taking time away from their families, friends, and workplaces, to help others,” CFA chief officer, Jason Heffernan said.

“As a former volunteer firefighter myself, I know that volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

“Our volunteers come from all walks of life; they are tradies, lawyers, nurses, chefs and farmers – just to name a few.

“The diversity of skills and expertise our volunteers bring to their CFA roles further boosts their brigades and the organisation, for which we are very grateful.”

Red Nose was also praising its almost 1000 volunteers who help families through the pain of stillbirth and child loss; the Treasured Babies Program turns 20 this year.

The program began in 2002 as an initiative of bereaved parents who recognised the need for families to be supported with appropriately sized clothing, Angel (burial) boxes, memory keepsake boxes, and naming certificates for babies who died during pregnancy or birth.

Each week, a special group of Red Nose volunteers work tirelessly to sew, knit, crochet, and assemble thousands of precious handmade garments and keepsakes.

They are supported by volunteers at the Men’s Shed who build the Angel boxes.

Red Nose Australia chief executive, Keren Ludski, was thankful for the help in such difficult circumstances.

“When a baby dies there is often little warning, leaving parents in shock.

“Having access to the Treasured Babies items, which have been lovingly handmade, can reduce some of the stress at an incredibly traumatic time.

“I’d like to thank our hundreds of Red Nose volunteers who give their time so generously to our programs and those on our 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line.

“It is because of their incredible generosity that we are able to provide support to thousands of families around Australia. We are so grateful to you.”

Mr Pearce said he encouraged “everyone to come together and support their communities by offering your time and skills to help others”.

“To get involved and find a volunteer opportunity that suits you, visit govolunteer.com.au or contact your local state or territory volunteering peak body,” he said.

Volunteering Australia called on all Australians to ‘wave your appreciation’ and share a photo of themselves waving their hand of thanks and using the hashtags #NVW2022 and #waveforvolunteers.

The Southern Grampians Shire Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/southerngrampiansshirecouncil and more information on volunteering at Moyne Shire can be found at bit.ly/3NlWQTb.