Macedon Ranges council has used International Volunteer Day (IVD) on Monday, December 5, to thank its nearly 80 helpers lending a hand.
Council volunteers deliver a range of services across various areas including visitor centres, community support services, environmental, arts and culture activities and the Kyneton Museum.
Council said its community support unit volunteers Kevin and Faye Oakley exemplify this year’s IVD theme ‘Solidarity through Volunteering’.
“Having experience with transporting family members for medical appointments made it obvious for us to see the need of the service,” the couple 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.”
Council community director Maria Weiss said IVD was an opportunity to shine a light on the important work council volunteers do for the 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.”