Not a single event, community service or initiative happens in our community without the hard work and dedication of volunteers.

This National Volunteer Week (15-21 May), the focus is on how volunteers are change makers.

As Councillors, we celebrate ‘Change Makers’ – and this means taking the opportunity to thank the many volunteers in our local community who give their time, expertise and their care to others.

This week, I reflect on the many change-making initiatives started right here in Kiama, such as the Man Walk, that are changing the lives of people across the country.

To play our important part in all of this, Kiama Council is holding our first ever Volunteer Expo on 24 May at the Kiama Farmers Markets (postponed from 17 May due to inclement weather).

We’re keen to celebrate the positive changes our volunteers make in and around our municipality. We also want to promote volunteering and help our local organisations to recruit more volunteers. Although Kiama has a slightly higher proportion of volunteers than the national average, statistics from Volunteering Australia show the rate of volunteering through an organisation has declined over time.

For people aged 18 years and over, the rate has declined from 36.2% in 2010 to 28.8% in 2019. Both men and women are volunteering less. Therefore I urge any locals who have been thinking about how they might ‘give back’ or contribute more to our community to consider giving volunteering a go.

Not sure where to begin? We’ve made it easy to explore opportunities in volunteering. Our Volunteer Expo provides a chance for you to chat to around 30 different local organisations and find out what activities you can support and get involved with.

There’s something for everyone – with representatives of organisations on hand including the Red Cross, Vinnies, Sing Australia, CWA, Lions Club, The University of the Third Age and more. You can also speak to Council representatives about volunteering at Blue Haven or the Kiama Visitor Centre.

According to Volunteering Australia, the most common types of organisations for which people volunteered were those relating to sport and physical recreation (30.7% of volunteers), religious groups (23.1%) and education and training (18.8%).

Volunteering Australia’s definition of volunteering is “time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.” And it is estimated that around a fifth (over 5 million) of Australians volunteer at some point each year. I hope you’ll be one of them.

Finally, on behalf of the community, I’d like to thank all of our volunteers – for all the early starts, patrols, rescues and fundraising that you do to make our community thrive.