National Volunteer Week Recognition Program 2023

National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. In 2023 National Volunteer Week was held from 15-21 May. The theme in 2023 was “The Change Makers.”

The week-long event recognises the vital support that the millions of volunteers in our country provide to their communities and encourages people to consider volunteering. National Volunteer Week 2023 is a celebration of our power to drive change and ensure volunteering is inclusive of all members of the Australian community. Our vision for the future will see volunteering thrive. We are the change makers.

Council's annual Volunteer Recognition Program provides an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge the contribution that volunteers make in our community. Community members were encouraged to nominate or self-nominate any volunteer from the Renmark Paringa council area in any of the three categories:

• Service recognition for those who have been volunteering at one club/organisation/group/school etc for 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years plus.
• Significant contribution for those who have made a noteworthy contribution to the club/organisation/group/school etc etc they are involved in.
• Club event or project recognition for those who have assisted with organising a significant event or project at their club/organisation/group etc. The event or project must have been held during the past year 2022 in the Renmark Paringa area.

It was wonderful to see nominations increase by 144%, from 9 nominations in 2022 to 22 nominations in 2023. Council's 2 volunteers from the library and visitor centre were also recognised for their voluntary contributions.

A community celebration was held on 17 May 2023 that included a morning tea to celebrate National Volunteer Week and the Volunteer Recognition Program presentation. Mayor Hunter led the presentation where he acknowledged all nominees and presented them with a certificate and local produce hamper.

Staff asked the people who attended the morning tea, approximately how many years they had been volunteering for 844 years of volunteering was the tally that we came to from the approx 45 people in attendance! A huge amount of contribution made to our community in voluntary time.

The following Council volunteers were thanked at the celebration for their voluntary contribution to Council and the community, as well as the following community members and group who were nominated as a part of this program and recognised at the presentation:

If you are interested in volunteering in the Renmark Paringa community, click here to view the volunteering opportunities currently available with various community groups in the area.