Thank you to our volunteers

Published on 18 May 2020

Gannawarra Shire Council would like to thank its group of dedicated volunteers for the outstanding work they do in the community.

This week marks National Volunteer Week, with Volunteering Australia planning a series of online events to acknowledge the work volunteers undertake.

“This year’s theme for National Volunteer Week, which runs from 18-24 May, is Changing Communities, Changing Lives, which is evident as we work together through the Coronavirus pandemic,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“Whether it is the person who helps deliver Meals on Wheels, gives up their time to help our youth learn how to drive or assist in transporting people to medical appointments, our volunteers make residents’ lives better.”

Council’s dedicated group of volunteers provided the following services during 2019:

• Learner drivers accumulated a combined total of 223.5 hours behind the wheel thanks to Council’s L2P program;
• Individuals and community group representatives helped provide 19,000 meals to 301 residents in seven towns located within the Gannawarra as part of Council’s Meals on Wheels and Social Meals programs; and
• A total of 125 residents took advantage of the Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service to attend 297 medical appointments outside of the Gannawarra, resulting in 542.75 hours of transport hours provided.

“Although these programs are not occurring at this time as part of efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus, Council hopes that our volunteers are staying safe at this time,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Council looks forward to welcoming these valued members of our community back to assisting with these programs when social distancing measures are relaxed.”

If you would like to become a volunteer for any of Council’s programs, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/volunteer or phone Council on (03) 5450 9333.