Latest news with #NationalVolunteerWeek
Scoop
4 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Give Volunteers A Big Shout Out This June
Press Release – Volunteering New Zealand Over 53% of New Zealanders volunteer, and while formal volunteering through organisations has dipped slightly since 2021, the hours given are increasing. Volunteering is evolving more flexible, informal, and community-led than ever before. Give a Big Shout Out to the volunteers in your community this June, says Volunteering New Zealand. The Big Shout Out is a month-long celebration recognising the people across Aotearoa New Zealand who give their time, skills, and energy to help others. Back for its third year, the campaign runs throughout June and includes National Volunteer Week (15–21 June). It's all about shining a spotlight on the quiet contributions volunteers make — often behind the scenes and without expectation. 'Volunteers are vital to our communities, and everyone who gives their time to help their neighbour, school, marae or community organisation deserves a big shout-out,' says Michelle Kitney, Chief Executive of Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand. Over 53% of New Zealanders volunteer, and while formal volunteering through organisations has dipped slightly since 2021, the hours given are increasing. Volunteering is evolving – more flexible, informal, and community-led than ever before. 'Many volunteers go unrecognised – this campaign gives us all a chance to say, loudly and clearly: a big thank you!' Michelle says. Led by Volunteering New Zealand, The Big Shout Out is a nationwide, social media-based campaign encouraging everyone to say thanks to the volunteers who make our communities stronger. More than 40 events will be held by volunteer centres and other organisations nationwide, celebrating about 3000 volunteers. Calls to action Show your thanks for volunteers in your life. Share a photo or message of thanks on social media #thebigshoutout Shout volunteers a morning/afternoon tea or other celebration. They deserve it! Background information Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand is the peak body for volunteering and volunteers in New Zealand. Volunteering is crucial for strong communities, and community organisations rely on volunteers. We support organisations to manage volunteers effectively, and speak up for volunteers and volunteering.
Scoop
4 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Give Volunteers A Big Shout Out This June
Give a Big Shout Out to the volunteers in your community this June, says Volunteering New Zealand. The Big Shout Out is a month-long celebration recognising the people across Aotearoa New Zealand who give their time, skills, and energy to help others. Back for its third year, the campaign runs throughout June and includes National Volunteer Week (15–21 June). It's all about shining a spotlight on the quiet contributions volunteers make — often behind the scenes and without expectation. 'Volunteers are vital to our communities, and everyone who gives their time to help their neighbour, school, marae or community organisation deserves a big shout-out,' says Michelle Kitney, Chief Executive of Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand. Over 53% of New Zealanders volunteer, and while formal volunteering through organisations has dipped slightly since 2021, the hours given are increasing. Volunteering is evolving – more flexible, informal, and community-led than ever before. 'Many volunteers go unrecognised – this campaign gives us all a chance to say, loudly and clearly: a big thank you!' Michelle says. Led by Volunteering New Zealand, The Big Shout Out is a nationwide, social media-based campaign encouraging everyone to say thanks to the volunteers who make our communities stronger. More than 40 events will be held by volunteer centres and other organisations nationwide, celebrating about 3000 volunteers. Calls to action Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand is the peak body for volunteering and volunteers in New Zealand. Volunteering is crucial for strong communities, and community organisations rely on volunteers. We support organisations to manage volunteers effectively, and speak up for volunteers and volunteering. Volunteering New Zealand Leaders of Volunteering Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of New Zealand organisations that have a commitment to volunteering, such as volunteer centres, national and other organisations. Volunteering New Zealand's mission is to promote, support and advocate for volunteering.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Young volunteer recognised at WA awards
Meadow Springs' Millie Penman, 17, was acknowledged as one of WA's leading young volunteers at the State Government's WA Volunteer Service Awards. The awards during National Volunteer Week recognise West Australians who have contributed five or more years of voluntary service. Twelve people received a Lifetime of Voluntary Service Award at this year's ceremony to acknowledge more than 60 years of service across causes including Girl Guides WA, Scouts WA and St John WA. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The awards were also an opportunity to recognise young volunteers aged 18 to 25 years who are making a positive impact in their communities through volunteering. Millie, a cadet unit leader at the Mandurah State Emergency Service, a TS Comet Royal Australian Navy cadet, and a committee member for the Meadow Springs Resident Group, was among those recognised. Millie has dedicated her time to volunteering for more than 11 years and was a finalist for the WA Volunteer of the Year Awards earlier this year. She said it felt absolutely incredible to be recognised at such a young age, but the recognition was not just a testament to her work but to all the volunteering organisations she's a part of. 'If it wasn't for any of my instructors or connections I have made along the way, I wouldn't be where I am today,' she said. 'Seeing myself in the newspapers, hearing myself live on my local radios and all over social media is an incredibly warming experience and a way for people to recognise the great things that come from volunteering. It's absolutely thrilling.' Volunteering Minister Hannah Beazley said the WA Volunteer Service Awards were an important annual celebration of the humble community members who had devoted decades of their lives to giving back and whose generosity is making WA a better place. 'With our awardees contributing anywhere from five to 70 years of volunteer service, these individuals are proof it is never too late or early to give back — you never know what impact you will make,' she said.
West Australian
7 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Coaching legend Ric Charlesworth finds talk on culture and team building resonates with St John WA volunteers
Ric Charlesworth's talk on culture and team building in Albany last week resonated with St John WA volunteers as the coaching legend passed on his wisdom to mark National Volunteer Week. Charlesworth, a former opening batsman for WA and four-time hockey Olympian, was the keynote speaker at an event for St John WA volunteers at Retravision Stadium in Albany on May 23. Volunteers from around the Great Southern gathered under the banner of 'connecting communities' to take part in a program of activities which included State officials, specialist paramedics and members of the community who had been impacted by St John WA's services. Charlesworth may be best known for coaching the Australian national hockey teams to huge success, but he was also able to draw on his experiences as a doctor and Federal politician when he addressed the volunteers. His words certainly struck a chord with Denmark volunteer Nerida Harley who said teamwork in her role was vital. 'We all have different characters and different personalities so the ability to work in a team with other people is vital and is exactly what we do,' she said. 'All the things he spoke about applied to us as volunteers.' Charlesworth said the overall culture of the organisation was key and there was no room to cut corners. 'If you can create an environment where there are no shortcuts you can have an approach to your training and preparation where you can really push yourselves,' he said. Toni Melia, the district operations manager for the Great Southern, said the event had had positive feedback. 'All the contributors were really well received and Ric was excellent,' she said. 'The key takeaway for the volunteers was a chance to reconnect with each other. 'We are all spread so far and wide that we don't often get the chance to be together as a whole team so it was a real opportunity for everyone to catch up with old friends and to make new ones.'
West Australian
26-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Brunswick's community champions come together to say ‘thanks' for all of their service
Brunswick's community champions came together to say 'thanks' for another year of dedicated services. Members of the Brunswick CRC, Red Cross, St John and more came together at St Peter's Anglican Church on Wednesday morning to celebrate National Volunteer Week with a morning tea. Part of a community tradition going back almost two decades, long standing community volunteers enjoyed each others' company through song and celebration. Brunswick Red Cross president Judy Talbot said the town used to have a thanksgiving service on the first day of every March before the national day was recognised, but they have since moved their events to align with the Australia-wide week. A long standing volunteer herself, Mrs Talbot said she first joined the Red Cross following the footsteps of her mother and stressed it was still important to this day to celebrate volunteers across the community. 'If we added up all the volunteer hours — which I think one day somebody should do — it would be incredible,' she said. Mrs Talbot said it was wonderful to have the community coming together and it was positive events like the morning tea, which made volunteering so worthwhile. 'To see everybody coming together and having a lovely morning tea — that makes you feel good,' she said.
