Valuing volunteers

May 12, 2008: Bega Valley Shire Council honours all the volunteers who help keep the shire’s services operating.

Council’s acting general manager Leanne Barnes said there were some 500 people throughout the shire who gave their time freely to the community through Council committees and activities.

"As well as the various committees who provide the invaluable service of running the halls, cemeteries and foreshores in the shire, there are also volunteers in our libraries, such as the Grandparents and Books readers, and others who staff the Bega Valley Regional Gallery or who assist with exhibitions," she said.

"There are also people providing their professional input into the Markets and Industry Committee through its various project research groups and those who volunteer on a number of other advisory committees in the community services, road traffic and civic awards areas.

"These people enable Council to consult with the community, offer services that otherwise would not be available and maintain the assets that have been built up over a long period.

"Without the assistance of volunteers, Council would be unable to do many of the things it does now and that the rest of the community often takes for granted."

Ms Barnes said Council wanted to let the volunteers know they were valued members of its extended "family".

"We want to ensure they know how they fit with the organisation, what their rights and responsibilities are as volunteers and brief them on issues such as Occupational Health and Safety and Council’s Equal Employment Opportunities policy."

A volunteer orientation session will be held on the morning of Wednesday, June 11, for those people interested in giving some of their time to Council’s Library and Regional Gallery services.

They will be provided with a volunteer’s manual and afterwards will be the guests of the Council for lunch.

Brochures providing more information about the program are available at library branches, the gallery and at Council’s main office.

Ms Barnes said she expected the session for the Library and Gallery volunteers to be the first of several to be held over the next 12 months for specific groups of volunteers.

"Council greatly values our volunteers and these orientation sessions will be one way we can show that their efforts and their welfare are appreciated," she said.

For more information about library and gallery activities, call acting Library Services Manager Ros Raward or Gallery Director Ross Cameron.

To book for the June 11 orientation session, phone Fran Hudson on 6499 2164.