This week is National Volunteer Week.
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All this week (May 20-26) Volunteering Australia is celebrating how volunteers are making a world of difference by acknowledging the almost 6 million formal volunteers and many others who volunteer informally, and provide immeasurable support in their communities.
In 2019 Volunteering Australia is celebrating 30 years of National Volunteer Week. Since it was founded in 1989, the week has grown to be the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia.
Volunteers make a world of difference to our communities and indeed our nation. National Volunteer Week is a week for all Australians to acknowledge and thank those who give back.
Volunteers are the heroes who come together and ensure change happens in our communities. This National Volunteer Week we applaud the generous contributions of Australia's volunteers, and the incredible impact they make in our local communities.
We encourage everyone to celebrate the volunteers in their community.
Volunteering Australia's 2016 State of Volunteering in Australia report found that 93 per cent of volunteers saw positive outcomes as a direct result of their voluntary participation and that 99 per cent of volunteers would continue engaging in volunteering in the future.
The report also found that volunteering:
- Plays a vital role in the development of social cohesion and social connection - both of which help alleviate loneliness.
- Provides a pathway to employment through the development of skills, networks and values which are increasingly sought after in professional environments.
- Provides an outlet for the exploration and development of personal interests outside of the workplace.
Australia's volunteers provide a 450 per cent return for every dollar invested. This is the equivalent of $290 billion in social and economic good.
This unpaid workforce provides indispensable support to organisations and communities, and deserve recognition for the substantial social, economic and cultural contributions they make at local, national and global levels.
Volunteering Australia encourages everyone to get involved in volunteering. For more information on how to volunteer go to volunteeringaustralia.org/nvw.