How Many Did You Say?
Today Senator Kay Patterson, Federal Minister for Family and Community Services celebrated an historic milestone with Volunteering ACT, the 7,000th volunteer walked through its doors seeking volunteer work in the Canberra Community. Volunteers, leaders of Community groups, Government and Business attended a morning tea with Senator Patterson at Volunteering ACT. Mary Porter CEO Volunteering ACT welcomed the latest recruit to swell the numbers of volunteers already in the ACT volunteer workforce, "As you know the ACT has an excellent record of volunteer participation", she said, "Volunteering ACT is proud to play a significant role in assisting people to find that right volunteer job for them and support organisations in their volunteer recruitment.' Volunteering ACT was established in 1993 through the Volunteer Management Program, an initiative of the Federal Government of the time. This funding still plays a very significant part in keeping the doors of Volunteering ACT open and also allows some contact with the ACT wider region. "Without the support of the Federal Department of Family and Community Services Volunteering ACT would not be able to offer the comprehensive matching service to volunteers and organisations that it currently offers" Ms Porter said. The 7,000th Volunteer to be welcomed today was Sarah Phippen, a young woman who said her goal was to be able to help others and through that gain new skills and meet people, she was interviewed by Dr Ken Chan, a volunteer staff member for over 4 years. Senator Patterson in congratulating Sarah said "Today's celebration of Volunteering ACT's 7000th volunteer presents a unique opportunity to not only recognise the success of the Australian Government's volunteer programs, but also to acknowledge and applaud the enormous commitment and dedication of volunteers, the voluntary organisations that they belong to and Centres such as Volunteering ACT." Ms Porter said, "Volunteers are working shorter hours and are more likely to be in the full or part time paid workforce, as is Sarah, there is an urgent need for us to do more research on what effect the changing volunteer work patterns and motivation will have on service delivery in the future". As this week is National Volunteer Week, it is timely to remind ourselves that whilst volunteering adds tremendous value to our lives it isn't free and it does need continual resourcing in order that it be sustained. For further information please ring Mary Porter (02) 6251 4060 (W), (02). 6254 6039 (H) or 0414 480 440 Mobile.
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