More than five million Australians spend time every year helping others and International Volunteer Day – to be celebrated this year on 5 December - provides an opportunity to recognise their contribution.
Wollongong City Council will celebrate the occasion by launching two milestone projects: “V-Connect”, a new website facilitating volunteering via the internet and the “State of Volunteering in the Illawarra” report, which represents the outcome of a research project into issues faced by volunteer organisations in the Illawarra region.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said that volunteers play a critical role in supporting a happy and healthy community and that new technology enables people to volunteer in new ways.
“Volunteers are the silent heroes in our communities, providing support and assistance to others,” Cr Bradbery said.
“Volunteering provides services to those in need, while also offering a way for people to give something back to their community. This new website will allow people to contribute their expertise and time via the internet.”
The website was developed with support from law and informatics students at the University of Wollongong. It matches organisations seeking volunteers with those wishing to virtually contribute time. An innovative approach, the site allows an organisation to post a project that requires skilled volunteer support and interested people can then contribute their resources online.
The report was commissioned by Wollongong City Council and looks at issues affecting volunteer management, generational differences in approaches to volunteering and the readiness for organisations to manage generational transitions.
Cr Bradbery said the report would provide an insight into some of the issues facing volunteer organisations locally.
“Wollongong has a great sense of community and volunteer spirit, one of our greatest assets. Council is committed to supporting volunteering groups through its Volunteering Illawarra program which encourages people to give up some of their time to help others.”