December 13th, 2022Community-minded volunteers come in for a little recognition

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has shone a spotlight on its hard-working volunteers this
month to coincide with an annual celebration.
Among the region’s many volunteers, the council alone has close to 80 active volunteers at any given
time, delivering a range of services across various areas including visitor centres, community support
services, environmental activities, arts and culture activities and the Kyneton Museum.
Friday December 5 marked International Volunteer Day (IVD): a day to raise awareness of the important rolevolunteers play and to thank them for their contribution.
This year’s IVD theme is ‘Solidarity through Volunteering’. Kevin and Faye Oakley exemplify this
theme, as volunteers with Council’s Community Support unit who understand the importance
volunteering plays in helping build a positive community.
“Having experience with transporting family members for medical appointments made it obvious for us
to see the need of the service,” they said.
“After retiring, offering our services to those in the community who required the same assistance was
an easy decision.
“We have had many varied conversations during our trips and have enjoyed the company of all we
have met. We have also found all of the staff at Macedon Ranges Shire Council a pleasure to deal
with and extremely amiable and understanding when we are available or not.”
Local volunteering has a range of benefits—for the individual volunteering, the recipients and in
helping to enhance the community. It provides a way residents can build a sense of citizenship,
strengthen local bonds and help improve community life.
The council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, said IVD was an opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate
and shine a light on the important work Council volunteers do for our community.
“Council also partners with many third party community organisations who provide volunteers that
dedicate their time to Council services,” she said.
“Many of our programs and services could not run without the help and support of our volunteers. I
would like to thank them all for their generosity and commitment to helping make a huge difference to
the lives of other people and to our community.”