Eumundi Voice - Issue 107, 28 November 2024

ON THIS DAY

International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day is marked each year on 5 December to raise awareness of the important role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world. This year’s theme, as determined by the United Nations is What’s our Future Normal?

There are millions of volunteers in Australia and the contributions they make to communities around the country are enormous. A survey conducted by Volunteering Australia in 2022

found that women volunteered at a higher rate than men, Australians over 55 were more likely to volunteer than younger Australians, and those living in regional Australia were more likely to volunteer than those in capital cities. The vast majority of volunteers were satisfied or very satisfied with their volunteering experience. Sport and recreation organisations have volunteers as one-quarter of their workforce; community services, welfare, homeless organisations and faith-based organisations each have one-fifth. Volunteers usually perform tasks such as fundraising, running events, teaching, providing information, accounting, finance and management. Other increasingly popular areas of volunteer work are animal welfare, such as fostering and working with animals, environmental protection and conservation, mental health support and working with young people and children.

The Volunteering Australia report also found that 83% of volunteer organisations need more volunteers. Rhonda Piggott

International Volunteer Day is marked each year on 5 December to raise awareness of the important role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world. This year’s theme, as determined by the United Nations is What’s our Future Normal?