AUSTRALIA’S biggest workforce has no single job description and every day, it does everything from scrubbing toilets to leading choirs in song – without being paid a single cent.

It is our volunteer community and its Casterton area members were recognised for their efforts during celebrations of National Volunteer Week.

A reception held at the Casterton Town Hall last Wednesday evening was one of several events held across the Glenelg Shire during the week to acknowledge the efforts of the local volunteering community, particularly after the pandemic severely impacted their capacity to serve the region over the last two years.

According to Volunteering Australia, more than one million volunteers supported Australia’s “crisis resilience” during the pandemic and in times of flooding and fires, of which more than 400,000 worked directly in emergency response and relief.

The Glenelg Shire Council said the area boasted one of the highest rates of volunteerism across the state, with nearly one third of residents reporting some form of voluntary work through an organisation or group.

The theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week was “Better Together”, with an emphasis on how volunteering brought people together, built communities and created “a better society for everyone”.

Glenelg Shire Deputy Mayor, Scott Martin, echoed the sentiments of Volunteering Australia and said volunteers were the “backbone” of the nation.

“This is a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of the wonderful volunteers in our community and to say thank you,” he said.

“Amidst the pandemic, volunteers continued to deliver essential services, organise food packages and offer care and comfort and more support to the wellbeing of Australians.

“Volunteers play a crucial role in making our community stronger, especially during times of need.”

A report released by Volunteering Australia this month highlighted the breadth and diversity of volunteering that contributed to the country’s “crisis resilience”, which it defined as the capacity of communities to respond to and recover from natural disasters, public health crises and environmental emergencies.

It said volunteering’s contribution came in the form of facilitating social connections and improving access to local supports and services.

However, it claimed support and planning for volunteer involvement was not consistently included in national crisis frameworks.

Mr Martin said more work was needed to help the volunteering community.

“In the current changing environment, we need to reimagine how we do things,” he said.

“We need to collaborate more and adapt our volunteering practices and programs so we can better support and engage volunteers to continue the necessary work that they do.”

He also said that while volunteers often worked behind the scenes and flew under the radar, their actions were inspirational.

“(Volunteers) represent the kind of community we want to live in and we want our children and grandchildren to live in as well,” he said.

Casterton local, John Matthews, was among those recognised at last week’s Town Hall reception and was invited to speak about the organisations he was involved in.

Mr Matthews has volunteered his whole life, contributing to Apex and the Casterton Kelpie Association and said he was proud of both organisations.

He also gave his thanks to other volunteers who were in attendance and urged people to give their support for the upcoming Kelpie Muster,

“Celebrate what a great event we have and all of the other events we have,” he said.

Glenelg Shire Councillor, Karen Stephens, offered further recognition to Harry Cottier and Barry Davis, who were acknowledged in April by the RSL for their continuous contributions to Anzac Day commemorations in Casterton.

Mr Cottier and Mr Davis are veterans of the Casterton Vice Regal Band and this year marks 74 years of their service with the band and participation in local Anzac Day commemorations.

Ms Stephens awarded Mr Cottier and Mr Davis certificates of acknowledgement on behalf of the Glenelg Shire Council. She noted both men had taught generations of young locals to play musical instruments and their longstanding service in Casterton was a “monumental achievement”.