The volunteers putting Tassie on the map
There’s a saying that no man is an island. It means no man, or woman, can get things done on their own and we all need help from others.
Being a proud Tasmanian, and literally living on an island, I know this to be true.
Whether it be asking for help from our local neighbours or answering a call from our friends across Bass Strait, Tasmanian volunteers are renowned for their willingness to rally around those in need.
Today is International Volunteer Day, and alongside millions of others around the world I take this opportunity to thank our volunteers.
But on this occasion I also want to ensure volunteers in Tasmania realise how the impact of what they do extends beyond our state and national borders.
Many of our volunteers would not realise they are part of a global movement.
In 2015 the United Nations released the Sustainable Development Goals — 17 goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all.
They range from ensuring everyone has access to clean water and quality education, protecting life under the water and on land and addressing gender equality and climate action. The United Nations has referred to these goals as an agenda that ‘places people and the planet at the centre’.
The UN has highlighted the importance of volunteerism in these goals, calling it a ‘powerful and cross cutting means of implementation’.
It’s wonderful to have the UN recognise how volunteers are progressing issues of global significance.
Next year Australia will have its chance to share with the rest of the world how we’re tracking against these goals.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is preparing to deliver Australia’s very first progress report.
In New York in July, we will stand in front of representatives from 30 countries and share our progress with the world.
It’s likely the Australian Government will include information showcasing our policy and industry advancements and, hopefully, the efforts of our volunteers.
We’ll be providing information to the Government that showcases their contribution.
This will include the contribution of our incredible Tasmanian volunteers.
Volunteers such as Catherine Wheatley, who established the charity Water for a Village and has built wells in Ethiopia bringing clean water to people who have never even tasted it before.
Tasmanians like Melody Towns, who founded Be Her Freedom, which raises awareness of human trafficking and slavery.
We have the long-term efforts of Christine Bennett OAM, who tirelessly raises funds for BCCAfrica, a primary school for vulnerable children in Kenya.
Our volunteers don’t have to be providing support to those overseas to be contributing to the UN’s goals.
We could also include organisations like Wildcare, our largest environmental volunteer group with more than 6000 volunteers supporting the conservation of our island’s natural assets.
There are more examples I could provide to demonstrate how volunteers are, as the UN explained, a powerful means of implementation.
And they’re doing it from right here in our island home.
Who knows, perhaps when the Australian Government stands in front of international peers, we can convince them to mention some of our homegrown examples.
So on this International Volunteer Day, I thank all the Tasmanians volunteering time and talent to the causes and passions close to their hearts.
I also ask them to stand proud, knowing that whilst we might live on an island, and sometimes we get left off the Australian map, when it comes to volunteering our impact is global.