Today Richard Eckersley from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the ANU addressed the annual Summit on Volunteering in the ACT and revealed the secret to happiness as he has discovered it through his work on the fourth survey of Australian's Wellbeing.

We heard that Volunteers tend to enjoy a high sense of wellbeing, which in turn makes them healthier and extends their life expectancy, not surprising to those of us who are involved on a day to day basis!

"Whilst the precise causal relationship between volunteering and happiness is uncertain, (from this study), the finding is consistent with a lot of other research, as well as advice from sages through the ages, on what makes a happy life" Richard told his audience.

"Other longitudinal studies overseas have actually tracked an improvement in the physical well being of those who regularly volunteer, possibly related to the release of endorphins into the blood stream. And who can measure the pleasure and benefit that a person might gain from the simple exchange of a generous act"? Mary Porter CEO of Volunteering ACT said today.

Leaders from the ACT Government, Business and Community groups, Unions ACT and Volunteers themselves also heard about the progress that has been achieved and the discoveries that have been made in the dynamic environment of volunteer effort. For instance do you know in April 2001, some 30,400 Canberrans volunteered their services to sport in "non-player" activities? Over a year this contribution equates to 2.3 million hours of work. The estimated value of this to the community in 2000 was $44.3 million. Looked at another way sport and recreation volunteers contributed an additional 0.36 per cent to the ACT's GDP in 2000-01*.

"Were it not for our sporting volunteers who among us would be able to afford to have their children coached in their favourite sport" Ms Porter said.

Addressing the Summit this morning Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said "Volunteers play a crucial role in Canberra's community - they are fantastic contributors to our city and our daily lives. More than 80,000 Canberrans regularly volunteer their time, which is an amazing contribution for a city of Canberra's size.

In response Mary Porter said she agreed that volunteering does add tremendous value to our lives but it isn't free and it does need urgent resourcing. "Lately we have become pre occupied with counting the costs and attempting to measure the economic benefit to society, however National Volunteer Week is about celebrating its success and its intrinsic value!" Ms Porter said.

For further information please ring Mary Porter (02) 6251 4060 (W), (02). 6254 6039 (H) or 0414 480 440 Mobile

*Impact of sport and physical recreation in the ACT - Final Report March 2004.

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