5 December, 2010
5 December 2010
International Volunteer Day
Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Mitch Fifield, today acknowledged International Volunteer Day, which is being celebrated this Sunday, 5th December by volunteers worldwide.
“The contribution Australian volunteers make to our community is immense,” Senator Fifield said.
“International Volunteer Day is an opportunity for us all to stop and thank the volunteers in our local community for the incredible work they do.”
“Senator Guy Barnett and I moved a motion in the Senate to thank volunteers around the country for their dedication,” Senator Fifield said.
The motion was passed unanimously.
“Without the commitment of volunteers, our communities could lose their cohesiveness, and many valuable services that rely on voluntary work would cease to exist,” Senator Fifield said.
“More than one in three Australians give up some of their time to volunteer, and their work contributes an estimated $42 billion to the national economy every year.”
From just a few hours a week or several days a month, anyone can help make a difference through volunteering.
As a community we need to find ways to encourage the next generation of volunteers.
The Coalition has developed a practical initiative to encourage young people to volunteer.
“The Coalition’s Auscorps Plan, or Student Volunteer Credits, would allow tertiary students to receive a $10 per hour credit (up to a maximum of $2,000 a year) against their HECS liability in return for undertaking 5 hours a week of voluntary work,” Senator Fifield said.
“The Auscorps initiative recognises the value of volunteering, and would help raise awareness among young Australians of the importance of voluntary work to our society.”
To find out more about International Volunteer Day, or to get involved in volunteering in your local area, visit www.volunteeringaustralia.org.