This week The Beagle pays tribute to all of those volunteers we have right across our Shire. Thank you to the carers, the emergency crews of fire and rescue, the lifesavers, the animal welfare people, the landcare people, those who station the museums, those who run the weekend sports for all ages, those who serve at events, the umpires, caterers, marshalls and cleaners, those who sell raffle tickets, bbq sausages, make cakes to raise the funds needed to fill the gaps, to all of those who keep our community running and prospering. Eurobodalla Shire Council at one point used to join thousands of organisations around the nation to mark National Volunteer Week with a volunteer BBQ. The last time they did was in 2014 when the theme was 'Celebrate the Power of Volunteering' , appreciating and understanding the work of volunteers across the nation.
Then-Mayor Lindsay Brown made the comment at the time that Council relies on the contribution of hundreds of volunteers to deliver services to the community including community transport, youth services, active living programs, and Live Life Eurobodalla.
"Council's Community, Arts and Recreation Division alone is reliant on the 23,000 hours of service donated by more than 160 volunteers," the then-mayor said.
"During National Volunteer Week we will be honouring these volunteers and the time they so selflessly give up to help Eurobodalla residents by sending each of them a personal and heartfelt letter of thanks."
"Each volunteer is exceptionally skilled and is an asset to Council. Without them, it would not be possible for us to provide many of the services that support Eurobodalla residents." Maybe Council might now feel that Australia Day is the day to celebrate volunteerism however even the civic accolades, plaques and citations, once given out by Council, have now been relegated to the responsibility of local town groups to select and award their own heroes as we saw throughout the Shire this year. National Volunteer Day is about paying tribute to all those who do their bit without question. The unsung heroes. If you or any one you know volunteers, then give yourself and/or them a very well deserved thank you and know that your community appreciates what you do.
Dont Forget Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) The purpose of the WOW Day campaign is to inspire people to wear orange on 10 May in recognition of the efforts of thousands of SES volunteers across Australia who give up their time to serve their communities in floods, storms and other emergencies.