Recognising our volunteers

Published on 11 December 2019

Volunteers and carers are our unsung heroes that generously give of their time and money to support worthwhile initiatives that would otherwise not be possible.

They run our sporting clubs, raise money for charities, look after our sick and elderly, hold community activities, and as we’ve witnessed these last few weeks – fight bushfires.

Fire season started early this year and we've already witnessed its devastating impacts in areas across NSW.

The Rural Fire Service is currently the world's largest volunteer fire service, with more than 70,000 volunteers making up the some 2,000 brigades. Many of the volunteers are members of the community protecting their neighbours, their property and their livelihoods, but they can only do so much.

The start of summer should be the start of a conversation around being prepared for the potential hazards that could accompany higher than anticipated temperatures and extreme weather events, such as bushfires, home fires, floods, storms, heatwaves, and power outages.

Being aware and prepared is everyone's responsibility, whether at home or away on holiday, and a way we can assist our volunteers in doing their job.

Council recognises that the value of volunteers is enormous and will host a large celebration to coincide with National Carers Week in 2020 as a way of saying thank you.

The invitation will extend to volunteers and carers from all across the City including from not-for-profit organisations, charities, churches, sporting clubs, social groups and more.

The event will be a celebration to acknowledge the spirit of volunteerism that is alive in our community, and I look forward to providing you with more information in the new year.