In a heartfelt celebration of National Volunteer Week, Heike Fleischmann, Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Building Manager at PCV, attended a 'Thank You' afternoon tea hosted by Volunteering Victoria. This event honored the incredible contributions of volunteers across the state.
Special guest Hon. Ros Spence MP, Minister for Carers and Volunteers officially launched the nominations for the 2024 Victorian Volunteering Awards. In a significant announcement, she revealed a $150,000 funding boost for a refreshed Victorian State of Volunteering Report. This report aims to capture the latest data on the impact of volunteers and prepare for the future of volunteering in the state.
Shaun Middlebrook, CEO of Woor-Dungin and recipient of the 2023 Volunteering Excellence Award, shared his profound reflections on volunteering as a First Nations person. He remarked, “For an Aboriginal person, volunteering is such a cultural aspect of what our life is and what we give to the land …Volunteering for us in the First Nations space isn't about appreciation for the work you're doing; it's just part of the cultural makeup of our landscape.”
The afternoon was filled with inspiring stories from volunteers across various organisations. Heike thoroughly enjoyed her conversations with these dedicated individuals, finding their experiences both uplifting and motivational.
More information about the 2024 Volunteering Awards and how to nominate can be found at:
https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/events/awards/
This article was written by:
Heike Fleischmann,
Volunteer Engagement & Capacity Building Manager
Palliative Care Victoria
Email: hfleischmann@pallcarevic.asn.au