Fiona Simpson honours Sunshine Coast Volunteers

Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson today celebrated National Volunteer Week by honouring Sunshine Coast Volunteers for their important contribution to our local community.

Ms Simpson presented valued volunteers with a Certificate of Appreciation at a morning tea jointly hosted by Volunteering Sunshine Coast.

National Volunteer Week provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others in our community and to say thank you to the 6 million Australians who contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society.

The theme for National Volunteer Week 2012 “Every One Counts” sends a strong message that every single volunteer makes an important contribution to the broader community.

“Volunteers are essential to our local community and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers,” Ms Simpson said.
“I am particularly keen to see more young people getting involved in volunteering,” Ms Simpson said.
“It’s a great way for them to gain useful experience and learn vital skills which could open up doors to greater opportunities for them.”
The Australian Government is asking young people aged 15 to 25 to submit a 30 to 60 second audiovisual advertisement to capture the enjoyment, fun and social interaction that volunteering brings. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringVideoCompetitionForYoungPeople.

“If you are aged 15 to under 25 and enjoy making short films, you may be interested in entering an online video competition to share the benefits of volunteering with other young people,” Ms Simpson said.

Ms Simpson praised the work of Volunteering Sunshine Coast who play a vital role in linking volunteers with not-for-profit organizations who are seeking assistance and they also provide training and support.

For more information on how you can get involved as a volunteer, call 07 5443 8256 or go to their website www.volunteeringsunshinecoast.org.au.