Volunteering WA Board of Directors
Matt Rutter - Global Head of Trading CBH Grain - Chair Volunteering WA
"The efforts and importance of volunteers in our communities are so easily overlooked, often by the volunteers themselves. Volunteers give their time freely to help the community simply because they enjoy it, which in turn provides a fulfilling experience both for the volunteer and the community as a whole. I am immensely proud of the work the team at Volunteering WA, as the peak body for volunteering in this state, does to facilitate this effort and in turn the contribution it makes to improving the standard of living in Western Australia".
Dr Ian Fairnie - Director Service Abroad Australasia - Board Volunteering WA
“Quite a deal of data is revealing that the much maligned "Gen Y" are in fact the largest group of people volunteering their time to help others - in 2009 the 18-24 year group represented over 30% of all those placed by Volunteering WA, in fact if you added in the 25-34 year olds together they account for 60% of the people that use the services of Volunteering WA”.
Kath Snell - Business Development Manager Volunteer Taskforce - Board Volunteering WA
“I am continually amazed and inspired by the volume of time and effort given by willing volunteers. This year has been no exception. School groups continue to feed through even though the compulsory Community Service Program is no longer in place. Corporate groups are enthusiastic and eager to contribute and the emotional rewards for volunteers continue to encourage repeat visits. With the change in the employment market, we see retired and those between jobs contributing to the community by volunteering again. Volunteering really is a win, win situation with benefits spreading across the community to all involved”.
Paul Lynch - Regional General Manager Westpac - Treasurer Volunteering WA and President Volunteering Australia
“Where would we be without volunteers? Imagine this – restricted fire and emergency services, no one to coach the kid’s footy team, no one to transport the elderly for their medical check ups, no one to direct our tourists to the wonderful sites of WA and the many, many more activities that volunteers undertake to support our community. To these unsung hero’s, “now more than ever” I say thank you”.
John Poulsen - Managing Partner Minster Ellison Lawyers - Deputy Chair Volunteering WA
“Volunteering is a wonderful thing - it helps the cause that the volunteer is giving his or her time to, but equally importantly it helps the volunteer personally and helps to build well-being and a sense of worth to the volunteer, this is one of the reasons why Minter Ellison, Perth gives every member of staff an extra day of paid leave to undertake volunteering work in the community".
Graham Lovelock - Director Illume Group - Deputy Chair Volunteering WA
“In the under resourced retirement and aged care sector, volunteers are quite literally the lifeblood for many of the additional services and facilities provided to seniors in our community. If it wasn’t for volunteers, many of these additional services just wouldn’t be available for operators to offer”.
Peter Clough - Manager Government Affairs Woodside - Board Volunteering WA
"Today and every day the generous efforts and contribution of volunteers need support and recognition from us all – community, business and government. As well as a simple and genuine “thank you” volunteers require excellent resourcing, management and protection to maximise the impact of their endeavours. I particularly draw attention to the dedication and tireless work of volunteers assisting people with a disability and young people enabling them to realise their potential and ensuring their inclusion and access to a quality of life most of us take for granted. Now, more than ever these and all volunteers need our support".