Volunteering, the best leadership development program – and it’s free!
In recent times I have been saddened to see reports that many local community groups and charities are struggling or being forced to close due to a lack of volunteers. Volunteering may be the best leadership and team development program anyone ever undertakes. Don’t think of volunteering as a cost of time – but rather an investment in personal development.
Community responds to urgent need
Following a five-month recruitment campaign and a recent community meeting, the Corryong SES Unit has received 16 membership applications. At the community meeting, SES officers spoke about the flowon effect for the Upper Murray community if the Corryong unit shut down and the impact that would have including the increased risk of loss of life.
Nhill emergency services gather to receive Trauma Teddies from Nhill Leos
On Monday evening, Nhill CFA hosted a social event, inviting representatives from Nhill SES, Nhill Ambulance, and the Nhill Leo's Club ... During the gathering, the Nhill Leos and their mentors presented Trauma Teddies to the CFA, SES, and Ambulance Service.
Yanac CFA awards night
Last Friday night, at the Yanac Public Hall, about 50 past and present locals joined to celebrate the 80 years of community service of the Yanac CFA ... The brigade started as the Yanac Bush Fire Brigade, which was formed in 1942. The only equipment they had were fire beaters and knapsacks, until 1949 when they were able to borrow an engine-driven pump kept at the Yanac Railway Station.
Locals needed for Yorke Peninsula health council
Michelle Daw. Community members are being urged to volunteer for five vacant roles on the Yorke Peninsula Health Advisory Council. Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis, who is the local MP representative on YPHAC, and retiring YPHAC member Rod Thomas have both encouraged local people to consider joining the group.
Volunteering creates a flow on
The importance of an active local SES Unit will be the focus of a public meeting in Corryong next week ... Sara Jenkins, coordinator of the CNC, which operates the Upper Murray Community Bakery, said that without SES assistance "The bakery could not have returned to trading as quickly as we did" ... Sara encouraged locals who were looking to volunteer with the SES service to "put your hand up and give it a go. "We certainly know from the last few years, that if we can’t take care of ourselves, we could be in real trouble," Sara said.
War in Ukraine: Do we make a difference?
Alison McEwen. Victor Boltak writes from Ukraine: "… And your help (Ukraine Appeal) is valued very highly here. "Recently I donated $275 USD for medicine which was taken yesterday to a so called ‘stabilization point’ – this is the first medical help point close to the battlefield where the wounded are delivered from the front lines and where military doctors try to give the first aid and stabilize the condition of the wounded so they could be further moved to the field hospital.
Local rescue service faces shutdown
For decades, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Corryong Unit volunteers have provided vital assistance to their local community during flood and storm events, road rescue incidents and by supporting partner agencies in times of emergency. However, despite a recent recruitment drive, the Corryong unit’s membership numbers remain critical and at present, are below a sustainable operational level.
Leadership is not a title
Have you ever noticed it is always the same people who volunteer and involve themselves in all aspects of the community? Regional and rural Australia would not be the same without our army of volunteers, community leaders, and people who put their hands up to lend a hand for the betterment of the community.
Website relaunch for Purple Starfish
Purple Starfish Kaniva re-launched its website this week ... The new website features makers, volunteers and customers. It builds on the Visit Victoria campaign of supporting local artisans and makers with the ‘Meet the Maker’ stories of the creators behind the products.
iPad’s donated to Longridge residents
Mary-Ann Koerner. The local volunteers of the Naracoorte “Meals on Wheels” branch have again supported Longridge ... This time they have purchased two extra-large, 13-inch iPad’s for our residents to use, and needless to say, since their arrival, they have hardly been turned off!
Lights, power, action for volunteer bushfire brigade
The Tennant Creek Volunteer Bushfire Brigade will be well prepared for a night emergency thanks to the generous donation this week. The Tennant Creek Volunteer Association gifted the unit a generator and specialised emergency lights, valued at around $1500.
Thank you to members for raising a million as hospital auxiliary wraps up
The Casino United Hospital Auxiliary is finishing up after 120 years of supporting the hospital. Founded in 1903, the Auxiliary raised funds to buy hospital items and medical equipment for the Casino and District Memorial Hospital ... The Auxiliary has had to close because of a lack of numbers.
Students reclaim mining void
Denmark Senior High School students have woven rugs from discarded fabrics to be stitched together in a vast dot replica painting to fill mining craters in the Goldfields. Denmark woman Vivienne Robertson created the Reclaim the Void project in collaboration with Ngalia cultural custodian Kado Muir.
Push to create an ag-tractive local show experience
Tash Westbrook is passionate about creating more agricultural experiences at the 2023 Copper Coast Show in Kadina on Saturday and Sunday, August 19-20. Since joining the show committee in 2019, Tash has reintroduced an ag learning centre and led animal competition to the show ... Tash, also the show’s junior vice-president, said the show’s importance stretches across the community.
The ability to coach is a life skill – It is how regional communities tick!
Whether you are a coach of a junior sports team, president of a volunteer organisation, manager of a workplace, teacher or parent, an ability to coach and influence others is a life skill. Regional Australia has a long and proud history of coaching and influencing each other. It is how we get through difficult times together.
Hands & Hearts repairing 100 homes in 10 days – doing what the government won’t
A project led by locals aims to raise $50million to help flooded communities. The project was born out of the frustration over the lack of funding to rebuild homes after the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation released flood maps that showed priority areas that excluded most of the damaged homes.
Nhill Airshow highlights
The arrival of a DC3 aircraft on the morning of the Nhill Airshow on April 13th 2024, will be a special treat for visitors. For older Nhill residents, the sight of the magnificent DC3 landing on the airstrip will bring back memories of the regular passenger service that ran between Adelaide, Nhill and Melbourne from the 1940s to ’60s.
Homework club at The Patch
The Wimmera Development Association (WDA) and Nhill Learning Centre have partnered for years to deliver homework club support for multicultural students in Nhill. The program is provided for students who may have English as a second or third language, or whose parents do not speak English and cannot support with homework.
After a month in care, koala Leto is up a gum tree
Leto takes no time at all to climb out of the cage and scurry up the white trunk of a eucalypt next to the Richmond River at East Coraki. Leto is a six year old koala who had a stained rump – indicating sickness – and so he was taken into care for a month.
The show must go on!
The Barkly community was up in arms earlier this week when news hit the Tennant Creek Show was cancelled just 25 days ahead of its arrival into town. Due to failing infrastructure at the Showgrounds and a volunteer burnout, it was looking bleak for the one-day ahead to go about.
Please help us
Laughter rings out from a work shed behind various display buildings at the back of The Sheep’s Back museum in Naracoorte. The popular trio help form part of a small and dedicated group who make up the Naracoorte National Trust.
