Today marks the beginning of this year’s National Volunteer Week (15-21 May), an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the vital work of the more than 100,000 volunteers who help protect communities and deliver emergency management services across Victoria.
Run by Volunteering Australia, National Volunteer Week is the nation’s largest event dedicated to the almost six million volunteers across the country. The theme for this year’s week-long event is ‘The Change Makers’, recognising the positive impact volunteers make on their local communities.
The emergency management sector is celebrating those who help to keep our communities safe. Volunteers perform many roles including aviation support, emergency broadcasting services, road and marine search and rescue, preparing and delivering relief packages, and providing emotional and social support services during and after an emergency.
Acting Emergency Management Commissioner Chris Stephenson said volunteers are an important part of Victoria’s emergency management planning, preparation and recovery.
“National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work of our thousands of Victorian volunteers,” Acting Emergency Management Commissioner Chris Stephenson said.
“Volunteers play a vital role in keeping our community safe and we couldn’t do it without their dedication and support.
“Thank you to our volunteers for what you do before, during and after emergencies.”
For more information, visit the Volunteering Australia website (External link) (External link).
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.