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Volunteering Matters
Did you know that over 5.4 million Australian adults volunteer each year, which is approximately 34% of the population. In 2006, it was estimated that volunteering was worth $70 billion per annum to the economy, up from $42 billion in 2000. Australians who volunteer are contributing over 700 million hours of community service annually.
98% of volunteers surveyed by Volunteering Australia felt that their volunteer work made a difference to their chosen organization, with 34% of volunteers saying they gained useful skills relevant to future paid employment.
Benefits of Volunteering
There are many social, health and environmental benefits of volunteering, not only for the individual but the community as a whole. Some of the immediate benefits include:
Getting to know like minded people in your local community
Personal satisfaction and pride from contributing something worthwhile to the community and the environment
Gaining practical skills and experiences that may be applicable to your job and every-day life, such as gardening, teamwork and communication
Learning about environmental issues and conservation
Getting active and having some fun!
Get Involved!
If you want to get involved, a great place to start is your local newspaper or council website – they often have services that help link people to appropriate volunteering projects and organizations. You may also want to invite some of your family and friends to come withth you!
National Volunteer Week is 10-16th May 2010, for more information visit http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org
Here are some links to get you started on your volunteering journey:
A note from Gina: I can’t let this email end without giving a little praise for my incredible mother, Marilyn who is in her 20th year of serving for an international women’s charity Soroptimist International. They do some amazing things locally and internationally with a particular focus on women. Consider joining your local branch!
Volunteering Australia - www.volunteeringaustralia.org
Conservation Volunteers - www.conservationvolunteers.com.au
Wilderness Society - www.wilderness.org.au
EarthWatch Institute - www.earthwatch.org
WWOOF - www.wwoof.com.au
community news
2012 Sydney Shakespeare Festival
Welcome to Sydney Shakespeare Festival
Pack a picnic, grab your friends and head to Sydney’s
spectacular harbour foreshore for a night of
theatrical magic.
‘The fantastic atmosphere really turns these classic plays into special productions.’ VIBEWIRE ‘Picturesque views of Sydney Harbour create a stunning backdrop for Sydney Shakespeare Festival…a must see on a balmy summers eve.’ STAGE WHISPERS
Hamlet and the taming of the shrew
8pm 5th January - 12th February 2012
For more information click here
WOMADelaide 2012
WOMADelaide 2012 will be held from Friday 09 - Monday 12 March outdoors in Adelaide’s beautiful Botanic Park. WOMADelaide began in 1992 and has gone on to become one of Australia’s favourite festivals; the 2010 festival attracted 81,500 attendances over four days (not including children 12 and under, who are admitted free).
The program features performances and workshops on seven stages by the world’s best musicians, dancers and DJs, alongside street theatre artists and visual artists, the popular Taste the World cooking program, Artists in Conversations sessions and an All-Star Gala finale, plus around 100 food, crafts and display stalls and a KidZone.
For more information click here
Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival
The inaugural Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival demonstrates the breadth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island contemporary and traditional artistic expression.
There’s something for everyone, with three days of dance, cabaret, visual art, theatre, comedy, films and live music.
For more info click: here
Perth Arts Festival
The Perth Arts Festival is the oldest annual international multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere, with some of the world’s best theatre, music, film, visual arts, street arts, literature and free community events. For more info: www.perthfestival.com.au