Toowoomba Regional Council celebrates volunteers at special function for National Volunteer Week

The Toowoomba region’s council-centre volunteers have been celebrated a special function this week.

Toowoomba region volunteers gather for High Tea at Clifford Park, including library staff Katie Fullerton (left) and Gemma Healy.

Toowoomba Regional Council has recognised the contribution of the region’s volunteers at a thank you high tea at Clifford Park Racecourse on Thursday.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio said the function was a fitting tribute to the community members and partnership groups after a year of highly disrupted activities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Antonio said the function mirrored the 2021 National Volunteer Week theme of “recognise, reconnect and reimagine”.

“The past year highlighted how irreplaceable council’s volunteers are across our services and facilities,” he said.

Toowoomba region volunteers gather for High Tea at Clifford Park. From left; Alison Balke, Dell Fitton and Joan Smith.

“I know council’s volunteers were as disappointed as anyone that they were unable to offer their usual friendly service and assistance at our centres and across a range of community services.

“We are extremely grateful to the volunteers who were able to continue in their roles over the past year and we look forward to the resumption of many other volunteer programs.”

Council environment and community chair Cr James O’Shea said council was indebted to the tireless work of volunteers across the organisation’s activities.

Toowoomba region volunteers gather for High Tea at Clifford Park. Margot Ross Smith – Volunteer Management Officer and June Brereton.

“Volunteers complement and enhance our service delivery in art galleries, museums, libraries, and cultural centres across the region,” he said.

“They are a valuable source of knowledge at our visitor information centres and help at bushland parks and with major civic events such as Australia Day, Anzac Day and other community celebrations.

“Council also works closely with SES groups in association with our disaster management co-ordinator and other agencies.”

Research commissioned by Volunteering Australia estimates that across Australia, 65 per cent of volunteers stopped volunteering between February and April 2020, with this reduction being equivalent to 12.2 million hours per week.