National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. This year it was held between the 16th and 22nd of May 2022.
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2022 was ‘Better Together’ to highlight the ways in which volunteering brings people together to build communities and create a better society for everyone. This theme was especially pertinent for our organisations as we quite literally work across agencies to build a better future for communities within Tasmania.
St Joseph Affordable Homes and Centacare Evolve Housing came together on Wednesday the 18th of May 2022 to celebrate the many amazing volunteers that show their continued support of our organisations. Together we celebrated the hard work and commitment of our volunteers at a morning tea held at the Tower Road office.
Our volunteers and staff were thanked by St Joseph Affordable Homes and Centacare Evolve Housing CEO Ben Wilson and Build up Tassie Coach Adrian Broomhall. Sister Magdalene spoke on the meaningfulness of volunteering.
“Volunteering at Centacare Evolve Housing is not only enjoyable, but also creative because we continue working for God’s creation,” said Sister Magdalene, “as volunteers we will become a part of the Centacare Evolve Housing community. We feel confident and proud of our organisation. We are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment.”
Sister Magdalene discussed how volunteering allowed personal growth as well as opportunities to help the community. Centacare Evolve Housing initiatives such as community gardening, dining with friends in Bridgewater, Build Up Tassie, looking after children, Christmas Parades, Christmas carols and Youth Week events provide volunteers such as Sister Magdalene the opportunity to meet new and diverse groups of people within the Tasmanian community while trying new and interesting activities.
National Volunteer Week is a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers and to say thank you.