Celebrating Australia's volunteers

Each year Australia marks National Volunteer Week, a celebration of the work that thousands of people around Australia do without pay — whether it’s in addition to a salaried job or perhaps time spent post-retirement. This year’s event, from May 15-21 and coordinated by Volunteering Australia (VA), will see businesses and organisations celebrating the contributions of volunteers and saying ‘thank you’ to those who give up their time. Many companies, including NAB, Mastercard, Oracle and Telstra, also offer their staff paid leave to participate in volunteer activities as part of annual leave programs. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ecC7rbnG The theme for this year is ‘We are the Change Makers’ — and we want to know what volunteering means to you. Have you devoted part of your working life to volunteering, or perhaps more so after retirement? If so, how did you choose the type of work and why? What do you think are the main benefits of volunteering, and can it help your career? Share your experiences with others in the comments below. ✏️ Cathy Anderson #NVW2023 #TheChangeMakers #volunteer #volunteering

With a surge in people seeking help amid a cost-of-living crisis, volunteer groups urgently need to rebuild their numbers to meet the demand for their services. "It is not a lack of goodwill that is driving the decline in formal volunteering; the growth of informal volunteering clearly attests to this," writes Amanda Davies (The University of Western Australia). As researchers argue, the sector has to innovate to improve its diversity and inclusiveness. #nationalvolunteerweek #volunteer #people #society #communityservice #costofliving #australia https://lnkd.in/gXVxT8QJ

It’s National Volunteer Week! 🗣️ For many of us, life is so busy that it’s hard to fathom fitting yet another commitment in. But for me, volunteering is a key part of my week, because while it is an extra commitment, it’s one that fills my cup. Not only has it provided me with skills, opportunities and networks, it’s given me community, connectedness and chosen family. I wanted to share a few of my favourite parts about volunteering with Out for Australia so you can see how volunteering might fit in with your life: 🏳️🌈Community I get to meet and volunteer with some stellar humans from around Australia. OFA is filled with passionate, caring humans, many of whom have become part of my chosen family. 🏳️⚧️Skills Development I’ve developed many skills through leading team Queensland, planning and running events and through workshops at our National Conference. The storytelling workshop at the 2022 National Conference, in particular, made me a better advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights in all areas of life. 🏳️🌈 Change Making I’ve had opportunities to contribute to real change through writing articles and participating in law reform - all because I’m an OFA volunteer. 🏳️⚧️Support and Giving Back We make a difference to the 60% of people who go back in the closet when they start work. We run events, the largest national LGBTQIA+ mentoring program and the 30u30 awards so that people feel supported in being out if they want to be. 🏳️🌈 Broader Perspectives I get to hear a range of perspectives from fellow volunteers and speakers at our events. This often highlights disparities between different communities or professions and shows us where we need more support and work. 🏳️⚧️Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunities I got to present at the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference alongside the incomparable Frances Gamble (pictured). We facilitated connections between activists from around the world which was a real highlight! So what are you waiting for? Come join Out for Australia in supporting people to be their authentic selves in every workplace. #volunteering #nationalvolunteerweek #lgbtq #outforaustralia

It’s National Volunteer Week here in Australia. I want to applaud all those who give so generously of their time and skills to many worthwhile causes… but I also know first hand that no thanks is needed, it’s incredibly rewarding to pay it forward and to make a difference. #nvw2023 #changemakers #westpac #tdc

Did you know there are almost 3 million Australians who volunteer in sport?   They coach, umpire, wash uniforms, cook barbecues, cut oranges and more! They’re the heart of sport in Australia, often toiling away in the background.   To celebrate National Volunteer Week 2023, Australian Sports Commission wants to put them on the podium and give a BIG 3 Cheers for Volunteers!   I’m posting a pic of a sport volunteer who makes a difference, with the #3CheersForVolunteers, and tagging Kent Waring, Tim Robinson, Michael Fisher to follow my lead.   You know the drill from here – post a pic of a sport volunteer you know who makes a difference, copy and paste my post above, and tag 3 more people. Together we can show volunteers how much we appreciate them.   #NVW2023 #SportVol

I'd like you to meet my Mum, Beryl, a volunteering legend at her local lawn bowls club. Like many sporting volunteers, Mum takes on many different roles - from caterer, to table decorator, to event planner, to gardener and all-round do whatever it takes to make a difference at her club super star; you inspire me greatly Mum! Volunteers are the heart of sport and to celebrate National Volunteer Week 2023, I join the Australian Sports Commission in thanking all our sport volunteers by giving a BIG #3CheersforVolunteers! To help me celebrate, I nominate Rohan Short, Sunil Menon and Timmy Duggan OAM to post a pic of a volunteer who makes a difference in their community - together we can show our volunteers how much we appreciate them. #NVW2023 #SportVol #SVCActionPlan #TheChangeMakers  Bowls Australia

It’s National Volunteer Week in Australia this week! I am so proud to be able to lead such an impactful and innovative national volunteer program here at Oxfam Australia. In the last 12 months, 833 generous folks from across Australia collectively contributed 24,083 hours of their time in Oxfam’s offices, online, at our events, and in the community. A massive thank you to every volunteer, intern and secondee who has contributed their time, energy, and skills in support of Oxfam. Volunteers enrich our organisation and make it a more collaborative and vibrant place to be. Volunteers help us tangibly to enhance our operational capacity, increase our impact, and ultimately, assist us in working toward a more just and equitable world. 💚 #NVW2023 #TheChangeMakers 

This week is National Volunteers Week! I have been blessed to work with volunteers for most of my professional life and across numerous membership associations - currently Engineers Australia. On a personal note my professional achievements wouldn't have happened without the volunteers I have worked with and I continue to learn from. I have made many friends and connections with those I met in their capacity as volunteers. It is partly this reason I now volunteer for various causes. This is a shout out to all volunteers, who's efforts should never be taken for granted nor understated. No matter how big or small, and whether you’re operating in aged care, emergency services, sports, arts and cultural groups, and everything in between, thank you to all volunteers for everything that you do and the impact you make. #recognition #NationalVolunteersWeek #thankyou #NVW2023 #TheChangeMakers