Redland City Mayor Karen Williams is asking residents to use Volunteers Week celebrations this week to say thanks to volunteers they know and to think about volunteering themselves.
Cr Williams said the ‘Thanks a Million’ message of this year’s Volunteers Week celebrations reflected the fact that over six million Australians, including thousands of Redlanders, volunteer annually.
“On behalf of the community I would like to say a heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers,” the Mayor said.
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“Whether it is our children’s sports club, bush care groups or charity work and fundraising – without the efforts of volunteers, we would be much poorer as a community, both socially and economically.
“In fact, research released last year estimated the value of the work done by volunteers nationally was over $14 billion annually and the economic contribution over $200 billion a year – more than the mining industry!
“As was shown with the January storms this year, our highly awarded Redlands SES volunteers are constant and dedicated supporters of our community whenever disaster threatens.
“Redlands has been recognised twice as Queensland’s Most Sustainable City, in large part thanks to the volunteer contributions of our Redland bush care and IndigiScapes volunteers.
“This month’s ‘Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’ and the ‘Relay for Life’ cancer fundraising efforts this weekend at Norm Price Park-Redland Showground, would not happen without the volunteer efforts of dozens of selfless people.
“All these volunteers and the many others who donate their time throughout the year, do so without expectation of reward.
“So even if you don’t have the opportunity to volunteer this week, please take the opportunity to say thank you to someone you know who does.”
