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2009 VOLUNTEER AWARD VOLUNTEER STORIES VOLUNTEERING IN FOCUS VOLUNTEERING NEWS DATES FOR YOUR DIARY |
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Are you interested in event volunteering? Find out how to become an event volunteer. |
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Are you looking for a new volunteering role? Just call 02 9261 3600 to apply for one of the hundreds of roles advertised through The Centre's Volunteer Referral Service. Apply online to become a volunteer. Search Seek Volunteer for a suitable volunteer role. |
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Why not forward friends this issue of Volunteer Life today. |
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Volunteer Life e-zine celebrates and showcases volunteering. Subscribe today and get it delivered free to your inbox three times per year! The next issue of Volunteer Life will arrive in your inbox in time to celebrate National Volunteer Week in May 2010. |
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Have you had an interesting experience volunteering? Have you travelled overseas or interstate especially to volunteer? Email us your story for inclusion in Volunteer Life. |
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Editor in Chief Thank you volunteers: Editor Copy Editor Journalists Join the team |
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2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award winners announced
Congratulations to the 2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award winners, who were announced at Parliament House on Friday, 4 December 2009.
Liz Mullinar AM, Hayden Zammit, the Hon Graham West, Nigel Dearinger, Thea Batterham and Yvonne Tattersall of Timehelp Holroyd at Parliament House
The winners are:
- Liz Mullinar AM, 2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year
- Hayden Zammit, 2009 NSW Youth Volunteer of the Year
- Thea Batterham, 2009 NSW Senior Volunteer of the Year
- Nigel Dearinger, 2009 NSW Employee Volunteer of the Year
- Timehelp Holroyd Volunteer Team, 2009 NSW Volunteer Team of the Year
Congratulations to everyone who was nominated for the Award, especially the 38 Regional Award Winners and State Award winners.
NSW Volunteer Ambassador of the Year for 2010
In addition, Adam Goodes, Sydney Swans Australian Rules player and dual Brownlow Medallist for best and fairest player, has accepted the invitation to be the NSW Volunteer Ambassador of the Year for 2010 in recognition of his work as a role model and mentor to Aboriginal youth. View Adam's thank you speech (20 MB)
NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Photogallery
View the 2009 NSW Volunteer of the Year Award Photo Gallery.
Layne Beachley: Helping young girls achieve their dreams
By Jenny Symons
Layne Beachley is the most successful female surfer of all time, seven-time world champion, and Founder and Chief Executive of the Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation. Volunteer Life spoke to Layne about her passion for volunteering: "I've always had a desire to give back and I never took my position as a role model for granted...I always realised that it gave me this terrific opportunity to make a difference and I wanted to make the most of that opportunity." MORE
Volunteers lobby for a new school in Central Coast, NSW
By Brian Milroy
Central Coast mother of three, Kirsten Hawkes loves living at Kariong. The only problem was that the town didn't have its own high school when she moved there in 1989 with her husband Steve and first child, one-year-old Kelly. Although the Hawkes were told a high school was on the agenda, it was to take another 20 years of battling bureaucracy for it to happen. Finally, in 2009 a high school had been approved and would be built by 2010. MORE
The difference you make is a reward in itself
By Marieke Heeremans
Annie Rahe has a busy life. As well being Manager, Data Integrity & New Business at ING Investment Management, she also dedicates her time to volunteer with Disability Services at The Spastic Centre and its Ignition Mentoring Program, where she is a representative on the Foundation Steering Committee.
"I would help everybody if I can. Everybody needs help out there. There are just different types of help." MORE
A volunteer with time on his hands?
By Brian O'Heir, VolunteerTeam
When the Central Coast Mariners' faithful pack in to Bluetongue Stadium, champing at the bit, counting down for the referee to blow 'kick-off', it is fair to say that the fans are probably not thinking of Steve Frame...Steve who? Four hours before kick-off, Steve and his volunteer team are busy sure that everything goes smoothly. MORE
Giving back to her adopted country
By Margaret Carter
Brooke Massender is a very special person. During my interview with her, I was struck not only by how articulate and generous she was but also by her innate sense of gratitude towards her adopted country of Australia...She believes that she is incredibly fortunate to be an Australian citizen. She has wanted to give back to the society which she sees as professional and yet easygoing, warm and welcoming. MORE
Rosemary Weaver: "The Inn is a magical building"
By Marieke Heeremans
Rosemary Weaver has worked in public relations for many years and has been operating her own communications business, Weaver Communications, since 1991. She has been able to draw on her PR experience and learn about her other interest, Australian history, in her charity work with the Arms of Australia Inn Museum, where she has volunteered for over eight years. MORE
Want to live longer? Volunteer!
Brian O'Heir, VolunteerTeam
If you have volunteered you know it feels good. In fact, I am reminded of that – or a bank at least – because of its marketing message, one would we should possibly submit to willingly: 'generosity makes people happy'. However, there is even better news and even more reason to bolster the flagging ranks of the volunteer sector. Volunteer and you'll live longer. MORE
New Minister for Volunteering: The Hon. Peter Primrose MLC
The Centre for Volunteering
December's NSW Government Cabinet re-shuffle led to the appointment of a new Minister for Volunteering. The Centre for Volunteering welcomes the Hon. Peter Primrose MLC to this role and looks forward to working with him and his office to further improve volunteer recognition and issues in NSW.
In addition to being given the volunteering portfolio, Mr Primrose is also Minister for Small Business and Youth and the
Minister Assisting the Premier on Veterans' Affairs.
National Volunteer Week 2010: Update
Volunteering Australia (VA)
VA has unveiled the 2010 National Volunteer Week poster…The gloves represent the many different volunteering roles in the Australian community, ensuring that the poster appeals to a wide range of volunteer sectors.
How to get your posters, lapel pins and postcards
Promotional items will be available to order on the VA website using its Shopping Cart (you need to register).
Volunteering Australia's NVW promo goods ordering closes 16 February 2010 at 4pm.
New volunteer team management tool
VolunteerTeam is a new style social enterprise (Team Management Service) that aims at giving the community the benefits of modern software and communications technology.
VolunteerTeam's focus is set squarely on enhancing Teamwork in the voluntary sector of Australia. Its vision is to make Australia's Voluntary Teams the most effective, most productive and most enjoyable teams in the world! MORE
Vodafone's World of Difference program
Applications are now open, apply before 7 February 2010
The Vodafone Foundation Australia are giving 5 Australian's the incredible opportunity to work for the charity of their choice for one year. To enable you to do this Vodafone will pay your annual salary (up to $50,000) and expenses (up to $25,000). MORE
Volunteering guides translated into 16 languages
Volunteering Australia
Two of Volunteering Australia's foundation documents, The Definition and Principles of Volunteering and the Volunteer Rights and Volunteer Checklist have been translated into the 16 most used languages in Australia and are available to download for free. MORE
New volunteering resource clearinghouse
Our Shared Resources is a free-to-use website to access and share volunteer management resources. So if you have not checked it out yet, or have good quality application forms, volunteer job descriptions or other documents that you think could assist others, log in today and share your resources with the world! MORE
Vale Professor Mark Lyons
The Centre for Social Impact
The Australian not-for-profit and volunteering communities were saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Mark Lyons after a battle with cancer. "He devoted himself unstintingly to the development of nonprofit studies in Australia and abroad. Australian nonprofit sector study has been deeply enriched by Mark's work. Although he will be greatly missed, his outstanding contribution will live on." MORE
Bridge to Volunteering: Free introduction to volunteering workshop
Fridays, 10:30am-12:30pm (except public holidays)
The School of Volunteer Management's free Bridge to Volunteering workshop covers:
- What is volunteering and what is a volunteer?
- Volunteering opportunities
- The benefits of volunteering
- The rights and responsibilities of volunteers and organisations that engage volunteers
- What a person should consider when looking for a volunteer role
- How to find a suitable volunteer role
Phone the Volunteer Referral Service on 02 9261 3600 to book your place.
2010 Australasian Retreat for Advanced Volunteer Management
17–19 March 2010, Hahndorf (Adelaide Hills), South Australia
Applications are now being accepted for OzVPM's 2010 Australasian Retreat for Advanced Volunteer Management. The theme of the Retreat is "Volunteer Management: What does it take?" Retreat numbers are strictly limited. MORE