Region tops state for volunteering
Anational study has confirmed five Wimmera municipalities are in Victoria’s top 10 ‘kindest’ local government areas in Victoria.
‘The Happiness Project’ results released by Bond University in Queensland have come at a fitting time, in line with International Volunteers Day and the launch of regional 2019 Volunteering Recognition Awards.
Analysing Census and other publicly available data, the report measured Australian municipalities across nine categories affecting quality of life including community, work-life balance and accessibility.
West Wimmera, Buloke, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh and Horsham municipalities finished in the top 10 Victoria shires for volunteering.
Centre for Participation chief executive Julie Pettett said this merely highlighted what the region already knew.
“The Wimmera has the most generous community members who are willing to freely give up their own time to not only help others, but to make their towns grow and thrive,” she said.
“Volunteering is about help, happiness and combining the two.
“You’re happy when you are helping someone else, and when measuring life, happiness should absolutely be the key.
“It’s also about economic and social development, building community resilience and making our towns the kind of strong, resilient communities we would, and should, want to live in and thrive.
“This is something we, and our 2019 Volunteering Recognition Awards sponsors are absolutely committed to achieving.
“The awards are about celebrating and promoting volunteering achievements, and when you look at the 2018 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report released by the United Nations, it shows about 31 percent of Australia’s overall population are volunteers.
“It’s pretty amazing that the Wimmera dramatically exceeds the national average.”
The Centre for Participation launched the 2019 awards at Wimmera Trade Training Centre at Horsham College. The awards will culminate with a presentation night in Horsham Town Hall on May 17, 2019.
The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM are the event’s primary sponsors. Yes Optus and Simpsons are also major supportersm and other businesses and organisations are also involved.
Centre for Participation leaders, sponsor representatives and volunteer supporters were among guests at the launch.
People will be able nominate volunteers for various individual and group category awards online in the new year.