Vision Australia has been playing host to hundreds of VIPs across the country during the past week – these VIPS are our dedicated volunteers.
While National Volunteers Week officially fell between 11 to 17 May this year, it’s usual for Vision Australia to host events during the course of the month in further acknowledgement of the thousands of people who selflessly give of their time and themselves.
The theme ‘Give Happy, Live Happy’ was coined to reflect research, confirming that continued volunteering service is associated with better mental health, longevity and general well-being.
Regional Manager Barwon, South West and Grampians, Helen Steenbergen marvelled at the incredible level of loyalty shown by Vision Australia Volunteers.
“At the Geelong event Ron Hooton presented a 30 year pin to Kate Whitworth, who began her service at age 19,” she said.
Kate started volunteering after completing a life skills course. Having mild dyslexia and struggling with reading, she disliked school and was urged by her mother to undertake alternative activity. At the time dyslexia was very misunderstood and Kate wanted to place herself in an environment where she was not defined by her dyslexia but rather with what she could give to others.
Another inspiring 30-year pin recipient from the same region is volunteer Joan Walsh. Joan started in the crafts and activities area where she still works two days a week today. Among her many strengths is her commitment to the ever-popular footy tipping competition, which she manages on behalf of staff and clients.
“Our volunteers are our life-blood. They often speak about getting more out of the experience than they give, but the reality is that we simply couldn’t function at the same level without them,” Helen said.
“Vision Australia, like many not-for-profits, relies on these incredible people and we should celebrate their contribution regularly.”
Helen also hosted the Ballarat Morning of Celebration, which was attended by General Managers John Gow and Graeme Craig, and where a new video introducing four Vision Australia clients titled Living with Blindness and Low Vision was previewed.
“Without our volunteers we couldn’t possibly offer the same level of support to our clients and the broader blindness and low vision community,” John said
A number of State and Federal Members of Parliament have taken part in this year’s ceremonies. Many delivered opening remarks to thank our volunteers for their invaluable contributions, and assisted General and Regional Managers with the presentation of pins honouring years of service, commemorative certificates and gifts organised by Vision Australia Volunteer Coordinators.
Volunteering Australia estimates that more than six million Australians deliver essential volunteer support to a variety of organisations each year, contributing around $200 billion to the Australian economy. One visiting MP commented that this figure rivals the amount generated by the Australian Mining Industry.
The value of this service was reflected in the number of MPs accepting invitations to join these events.
“At least ten local, state and federal members have accepted invitations to a dozen Vision Australia events being held across Victoria, NSW, the ACT and Queensland, during the month of May”, said Graeme Craig, General Manager Service Improvement.
“These occasions also provide a welcome opportunity to speak with Parliamentarians, to enlist their assistance with rectifying key issues impacting upon the lives of people who are blind or have low vision, as well as identifying future potential streams of revenue to secure service delivery into the future,” he said.
While the majority of these events acknowledging the value of our volunteers were completed during the national week of celebrations, there are still four more events planned across NSW and the ACT.
“We highly value our volunteers and we’re happy to draw out these celebrations to make sure the depth of our appreciation is felt by one and all,” Graeme said.
From Volunteering Australia:
While National Volunteers Week officially fell between 11 to 17 May this year, it’s usual for Vision Australia to host events during the course of the month in further acknowledgement of the thousands of people who selflessly give of their time and themselves.
The theme ‘Give Happy, Live Happy’ was coined to reflect research, confirming that continued volunteering service is associated with better mental health, longevity and general well-being.
Regional Manager Barwon, South West and Grampians, Helen Steenbergen marvelled at the incredible level of loyalty shown by Vision Australia Volunteers.
“At the Geelong event Ron Hooton presented a 30 year pin to Kate Whitworth, who began her service at age 19,” she said.
Kate started volunteering after completing a life skills course. Having mild dyslexia and struggling with reading, she disliked school and was urged by her mother to undertake alternative activity. At the time dyslexia was very misunderstood and Kate wanted to place herself in an environment where she was not defined by her dyslexia but rather with what she could give to others.
Another inspiring 30-year pin recipient from the same region is volunteer Joan Walsh. Joan started in the crafts and activities area where she still works two days a week today. Among her many strengths is her commitment to the ever-popular footy tipping competition, which she manages on behalf of staff and clients.
“Our volunteers are our life-blood. They often speak about getting more out of the experience than they give, but the reality is that we simply couldn’t function at the same level without them,” Helen said.
“Vision Australia, like many not-for-profits, relies on these incredible people and we should celebrate their contribution regularly.”
Helen also hosted the Ballarat Morning of Celebration, which was attended by General Managers John Gow and Graeme Craig, and where a new video introducing four Vision Australia clients titled Living with Blindness and Low Vision was previewed.
“Without our volunteers we couldn’t possibly offer the same level of support to our clients and the broader blindness and low vision community,” John said
A number of State and Federal Members of Parliament have taken part in this year’s ceremonies. Many delivered opening remarks to thank our volunteers for their invaluable contributions, and assisted General and Regional Managers with the presentation of pins honouring years of service, commemorative certificates and gifts organised by Vision Australia Volunteer Coordinators.
Volunteering Australia estimates that more than six million Australians deliver essential volunteer support to a variety of organisations each year, contributing around $200 billion to the Australian economy. One visiting MP commented that this figure rivals the amount generated by the Australian Mining Industry.
The value of this service was reflected in the number of MPs accepting invitations to join these events.
“At least ten local, state and federal members have accepted invitations to a dozen Vision Australia events being held across Victoria, NSW, the ACT and Queensland, during the month of May”, said Graeme Craig, General Manager Service Improvement.
“These occasions also provide a welcome opportunity to speak with Parliamentarians, to enlist their assistance with rectifying key issues impacting upon the lives of people who are blind or have low vision, as well as identifying future potential streams of revenue to secure service delivery into the future,” he said.
While the majority of these events acknowledging the value of our volunteers were completed during the national week of celebrations, there are still four more events planned across NSW and the ACT.
“We highly value our volunteers and we’re happy to draw out these celebrations to make sure the depth of our appreciation is felt by one and all,” Graeme said.
Other facts and figures of interest:
John Gow estimates over the years Vision Australia has maintained, on average, between 3,000 and 3,500 Volunteers working with the organisation.From Volunteering Australia:
- The number of volunteers in Australia has doubled from 1995 (3.2 million) to 2010 (6.1 million).
- The rate of volunteering by young people in Australia increased from 16% in 1995 to 27.1% in 2010.
- Of the 600,000 not for profit organisations in Australia only 60,000 have paid staff.
 | Pictured left: Local Member for Melbourne, Ellen Sandell MP seated next to Lyn Allison, former Senator and Leader of the Australian Democrats, Vision Australia Board Member and Volunteer Carer of breeding dog Pepper; at the SEDA Morning of Celebration event. |
 | Pictured left: Volunteers Jean and Wilf Webster (husband and wife), are recipients of 15-year and 20-year pins (respectively), presented at the Ballarat office by John Gow, General Manager and Catherine King MP, Shadow Health Minister and Federal Member for Ballarat. |
 | Pictured left: Ron Hooton CEO with 35-year pin recipient Margaret Murden and Jodi McKay MP, state Labor Member for Strathfield. |