Saying thanks to volunteers

NOW is the time to show your appreciation for Bundaberg's thousands of volunteers, with nominations open for the inaugural Volunteer Week Community Awards.

NOW is the time to show your appreciation for Bundaberg’s thousands of volunteers, with nominations open for the inaugural Volunteer Week Community Awards.

Wide Bay Volunteers management program co-ordinator Suzanne Endres said the awards were created as a way to recognise outstanding volunteers in the Bundaberg region.

“There are so many volunteers out there,” she said.

“You would be surprised at how many people are donating their time to not-for-profit charities.”

Mrs Endres encouraged anyone who knew a worthy volunteer to nominate them for the awards.

The two categories are General Volunteer of the Year for people aged above 22, and Youth Volunteer of the Year for those aged 14 to 21.

“It is a great way for people to say thank you to all these volunteers who work so hard in the community,” Mrs Endres said.

“There are thousands of them in our region.”

Mrs Endres said many crucial services would not be available without volunteers, including the State Emergency Service, RSPCA and surf lifesaving organisations.

“These people are so important,” she said.

“They’re the heartbeat for our not-for-profit organisati- ons.”

Companies from around the region have donated gift vouchers and merchandise that will be presented to the winners.

“Businesses have been very supportive,” she said.

Winners will be judged by a panel of three who will look at what they have given to the community through their volunteer work.

Mrs Endres said if the awards were a success, they planned to expand in the future.

“Wide Bay Volunteers covers a huge area down past Gympie, out to Kingaroy and Agnes Water,” she said.

“The awards this time will only be for people in the Bundaberg region extending to Childers and Gin Gin.”

Entries for the awards close at 4pm on April 16.

The winners will be honoured at a presentation ceremony during National Volunteers Week in Bundaberg from May 10 to 16.

To nominate yourself or another worthy volunteer, fill out the form and email to [e-mail], fax to 4151 5054 or post to the Events Co-ordinator, Wide Bay Volunteers, PO Box 1097, Bundaberg, Queensland, 4670.

Originally published as Saying thanks to volunteers