Volunteer Recognition Day: “Volunteers Change Our World”

The Volunteer Recognition Day was initiated in 2008 and the aim was firstly and primarily to celebrate volunteers by the community giving back to volunteers, and by letting volunteers know how treasured they are with the kind support they provide in many areas within society.  Secondly, the aim was to enhance community awareness of volunteering by demonstrating the huge difference that volunteers make in society.  Thirdly, the aim was to change the mindset that volunteering has historically held from ‘just helping out’, as in modern day society volunteers are given specific roles and job descriptions to increase and improve services to organisations and the people in the community.    Learn more about how to make a difference.

The first Volunteer Recognition Day was held during National Volunteer Week 2008, and was included in the Grand Fiesta event organised by Logan City Council.   While Volunteering Service co-ordinated the Volunteer Recognition Day project, the day would not have been a success without the involvement of numerous non-profit organisation across all sectors, all of organisations involved are listed below. Their involvement produced a “Valuing Volunteer” booklet listing testimonies from people who have been supported by volunteers and organisations who value their volunteers.  To receive a copy of the booklet please send a request to us today.

The organisations assisted in collecting donations from businesses and promoting the day throughout their organisation and networks, along with a team of workers assisting in facilitating the day.   Thanks to local businesses and state members, 236 items were donated and 125 prizes were collated as give a ways to volunteers.  A list of businesses and the state members that donated items are listed below.   The in-kind support continued in celebrating volunteers with Craig Emerson, Federal Member for Rankin, Desley Scott, State Member for Woodridge, Evan Moorhead, State Member for Waterford and Barbara Stone, State Member for Springwood and the team from Logan City Council involved in the planning of the Grand Fiesta Event.  The team effort ensured the community was giving back to volunteers, enabling 600 volunteers to receive the following:

• Certificates of Appreciation
• Valuing Volunteer Booklet
• Handmade surprise packages filled with goodies
• Raffle prizes given out to volunteers who registered on the day
• Free tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day

Volunteer Recognition Day: Organisations involved in the planning

• Recreation Training Queensland
• Australia Red Cross
• Blue Care
• Blue Care, Burremah Place
• Beaucare, Day Respite Care & Therapy Centre, Beaudesert
• Flexible Support Services Australia Ltd
• LANDS Community Services
• Logan & Albert Beaudesert School District
• Logan Central Respite Centre
• Logan City Council
• Logan East Community Centre
• Logan City Council Home Library Service
• Logan City PCYC
• Logan Volunteering Queensland
• Logan Women’s Health & Wellbeing Centre
• Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation
• St Vincent De Pau Society (Families)
• Sports Federation Queensland
• Tamborine Mountain Community Care
• Volunteering Service
• Wongaburra Society
• Y-Care South East Qld Inc YMCA