LAUNCH OF VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2003
MEDIA RELEASE
Volunteering ACT
27 Feb. 2003
MEDIA RELEASEThe Search is onLAUNCH OF VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2003Today launching the Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2003, the Chief Minister, Mr. Jon Stanhope said “The recent bushfires have highlighted just how much volunteers contribute to our community - they are our heart and soul, our backbone and fundamental to our city's wellbeing, essential, as we have seen in situations such as we have just faced". "I urge you all nominate a volunteer - to recognise those who served during the bushfires, those who have given before, and those will continue to give after the recovery," said Mr. Stanhope. Mary Porter, CEO of Volunteering ACT, also reflected on the events of January 18th, “Now, more than ever it is vital that we use opportunities like this to recognise the efforts of the many thousands of volunteers” she said “some volunteers actually put their lives on the line for us and others work for years doing the ordinary, doing things that we all take for granted”. This year a special category is being introduced to recognise those who were are on the front line in emergency situations. As well as the “Emergency Services Award” the 7 other categories of volunteer effort will be maintained. These are Sport and Recreation, Health, Community Service, Arts and Heritage, Education, Environment and Science and Technology. As always a volunteer will be selected as the “Ambassador” for volunteering for 2003. Canberra has the highest participation rate for any metropolitan area with Adelaide, with over 36% of our population over the age of 18 years of age regularly volunteering. The NRMA ACT Territory Manager, Phil Newton, aid: “NRMA Insurance are pleased to be associated with one of the few public acknowledgments of the role volunteers play in improving the welfare of our community, NRMA Insurance has been involved in the ACT community for more than 50 years, with a focus on keeping our communities safer through injury prevention, crime prevention and by supporting emergency services”
|