By Charlene Macaulay
They’re the unsung heroes who contribute unpaid work valued about $145 million each year to the Wyndham community.
Wyndham’s volunteers will be the focus of a five-year strategy being developed by the council, aimed at fostering volunteering within the city and connecting people with volunteering opportunities.
The council is running an online survey and workshops for volunteers, clubs, groups and organisations to have their say on what volunteer opportunities exist in Wyndham, where there is room for growth and factors that may be preventing people from volunteering.
Wyndham 2018 Citizen of the Year Rhonda Edwards said volunteering could change your life and the lives of those around you.
Ms Edwards, who volunteers at the Werribee Bowls Club, has helped to create and deliver several new community programs at the club, including Girls on the Green, Bowling with Babies and CALDplay, among others that have introduced more than 4000 people to lawn bowls in the past three years alone.
“Many people have time on their hands and skills that have been developed, often over many years, but have issues filling in their time and need to get involved in something to occupy their minds and keep active,” she said.
“I was in that position prior to volunteering. I had retired and travelled, and after getting through our ‘to do’, list wondered what I would do for the rest of my life!
“Now I don’t have enough hours in the day … I am grateful that my volunteering activities keep me healthy, active and positive.”
To participate in the survey or find out more about the strategy, go to theloop.wyndham.vic.gov.au/volunteer-strategy.
Charlene Macaulay
