National Volunteer Week

15/05/2018

Give A Little to Change a Lot during National Volunteer Week, 21-27 May

VOLUNTEERING WA invites all Western Australians to get involved in National Volunteer Week from 21-27 May 2018, with the positive message of ‘Give a Little. Change a Lot.’ 

This year’s theme represents the millions of volunteers who make a profound impact in their communities and on society, through giving a little time to make a huge difference.

From 21–27 May 2018, thousands of events will be held across the country, including several in Perth, to say thank you to the 6 million Australians who volunteer their time.

CEO of Volunteering WA Tina Williams said that the week is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution of volunteers through a wide variety of events, activities and awards to be held around Western Australia.

We are hosting many wonderful activities around our State including the below:

  • BUILDINGS IN RED: Watch out for some of Perth’s most significant landmarks such as Parliament House, Elizabeth Quay Bridge or the Bell Tower being lit up in red, the colour of volunteering. Red representing the 600, 000 Western Australian volunteers will be displayed in various locations around Perth such as the University of WA, Perth Concert Hall and Perth Cultural Centre.
  • CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING: Business leaders from the Corporate Volunteer Council in Perth will be volunteering together on Monday 21 May for the kick-off to National Volunteer Week. They will be having morning tea and playing games with Bethanie West Perth Social Centre clients.
  • PIECES OF A LARGER PUZZLE: We invite you to visit our display in Forrest Place in Perth to help us build a large jigsaw, representing the many volunteers coming together make a difference in the community.
  • AWARDS GALA: -On Thursday 24 May, we are hosting the annual WA Volunteer of the Year Awards gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency Perth. This prestigious event, attended by the new Governor Kim Beazley AC, will recognise the contribution that individuals and organisations make to volunteering. We’ve had some incredible finalists this year and we can’t wait to recognise them for their outstanding contributions.
  • WHEATBELT VOLUNTEERING:On 22 May on Northam Boulevard on between 9 and 1pm there will be a volunteering display with giveaways and resources. We are also partnering with the Shire of Toodyay to deliver free coffee vouchers from Amy’s Café to Volunteer Involving Organisations to thank their wonderful volunteers for National Volunteer Week.

STIRLING VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers in the City of Stirling will be attending an event hosted by Volunteering WA Stirling Hub and WADJAK NORTHSIDE which includes a presentation by the Elders in the community who will be teaching about ‘Mooro Country’ followed by a lunch.

If you see any of our activities during the week, hashtag #nvw2018 or @@volunteeringWA

Research tells us that a helpful life is more likely to be a happier, healthier, longer one and with over 600,000 Western Australians contributing as volunteers in thousands of community organisations across the state, WA certainly shows that our communities Give a Little to Change a Lot.

“Not only are volunteers helping make the lives of everyone around them happier, they too are happier as a result.” Ms Williams said.

 “Volunteers certainly are the backbone of communities in cities and towns around our state”, Ms Williams said.

For more information on National Volunteer Week 2018 events and activities around Western Australia we invite you to follow Volunteering WA on social media or visit www.volunteeringwa.org.au

Media Enquiries:

Monika Page | Manager Marketing and Communications

Volunteering WA | 0428 979 283

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE

21 May 11am: Corporate Volunteering: Bethanie West Perth Centre, 40 Violet Street West Perth

21 May 12pm: Volunteering Jigsaw: Forrest Place, Perth

24 May 7pm: WA Volunteer of the Year Awards Gala: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Perth

NORTHAM - 22 May 9am-1pm on Northam Boulevard

Volunteering WA (VWA) is WA’s peak body for volunteering, connecting thousands of volunteers to community organisations across the State. VWA’s vision is for every Western Australian to enjoy a valued volunteering experience that enriches WA, through leading advancing and celebrating volunteering. Volunteers contribute $39 billion to WA’s economy each year, which is more value than many other major industries.