Blue Mountains News

Volunteers Week celebrates community ‘Change Makers’

By Blue Mountains City Council
Archived 19 Jul 2023 - Posted: 19 May 2023
Bushcare volunteer Nancy Oosterhoff
National Volunteer Week is an annual event which recognises the vital contribution that millions of volunteers around our country make to their communities.

This year’s event will take place from 15-21 May and its theme is ‘The Change Makers’. This theme acknowledges volunteer’s ability to drive positive change in the lives of others in their myriad of capacities as caregivers, guardians, energisers, defenders, and communicators.

As Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: “Volunteers are one of the cornerstones of a socially cohesive community, they are the glue that keep us together. 

“On behalf of all of the residents of the Blue Mountains, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who volunteers their time to the service of others. We appreciate, commend and applaud you for your tireless efforts to support our community.”

Council will be hanging its ‘Thank You’ banners in the City during Volunteers Week, as a gesture of thanks for volunteers.

The Centre for Volunteering estimates almost 4.9 million people in NSW volunteer, contributing more than 1.5 billion hours which is valued at approximately $127 billion. 

In the Blue Mountains there are numerous community-based organisations and services that rely on volunteers – such as the Blue Mountains City Council run Bushcare program, which co-ordinates over 500 volunteers on a range of bush regeneration, weed management and planting projects from Lapstone through to Mount Victoria. 

Council also has many volunteers who give their time for Council Committees, Clean Up Australia Day, graffiti removal, as well as programs at Blue Mountains Cultural Centre.

Other volunteering projects in our community include managing sports, managing community assets, supporting families after the birth of a child, running playgroups, supporting people in their homes, as well as providing management to community organisations among many other activities. 

Volunteering can be a mutually benefitting and satisfying experience – for those offering their time, experience, skills and resources and to those receiving assistance that may have otherwise not been available to them. One of the key benefits of volunteering comes from developing community connections, as well as learning new skills and strengthening a  sense of belonging and purpose.  

To find out more about volunteering in the Blue Mountains go to: here

To find out more about volunteering around Australia go to:  here

Blue Mountains Eco Tours Blue Mountains Eco Tours Blue Mountains Eco Tours An experience, not just a tour

Recent News

Construction to begin on Buttenshaw Park Small Pump Track
Construction to begin on Buttenshaw Park Small Pump Track
The highly anticipated Buttenshaw Park Small Pump Track is moving forward,...
Award-winning Blue Mountains exhibition to tour NSW
Award-winning Blue Mountains exhibition to tour NSW
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre’s award-winning exhibition,sensorial,...
Welcome the Lunar New Year with a Southeast Asian dish that defies gravity at Scenic World
Welcome the Lunar New Year with a Southeast Asian dish that defies gravity at Scenic World
Two Malaysian chefs have teamed up to create their own spin on ‘flying...

What's New

Italian Night at the Factory Bar
Italian Night at the Factory Bar
Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat What do you get when you combine delicious food from the south of Italy and Katoomba's newest gin bar? A great night out
Luxury 5 Star 2 bedrm Cottage in Leura
Luxury 5 Star 2 bedrm Cottage in Leura
La Casetta Guest review: This gorgeous home made for the best weekend ever!!
Escape to the Blue Mountains
Escape to the Blue Mountains
Federation Gardens and Possums Hideaway Family friendly, fully self contained cottages on offer
Also in this Section

Have You Visited

Announcement
Italian Night at the Factory BarWhat do you get when you combine delicious food from the south of Italy and Katoomba's newest gin bar? A great night outView Fifth Ave Katoomba Retreat »