Volunteering

Cycling Without Age Kerang is seeking to expand its services to other nursing homes, but they require more volunteer cyclists to do so ... The TriBike, a trike bike, is electronically assisted, providing an effortless pedal for the cyclist and a safe and enjoyable ride for up to two passengers.

There are 119 names engraved on a monument at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in Sydney to honour the fallen men and women from the state’s volunteer emergency services. One of the new names added is John Holmes who was senior deputy captain of  Mallanganee Brigade. He died at the fire front at Bean Creek in October 2023.

Ima Volunteer. Donald’s biggest two-day event is here, and these members of the Donald Show committee are at the showgrounds to administer the action-packed program throughout today and tomorrow. At their office close to the junction of Borung Highway and Mill Street, the ladies are happy to deal with all enquiries, and to reward those whose entries in the Show Schedule’s multiple sections have won recognition from the judges.

Serena Kirby. The Denmark St John community transport service capabilities have expanded with the recent purchase of a second vehicle. Established in late 2018 to transport residents to non-urgent medical, hospital and allied health appointments, the service has made more than 2700 trips around Denmark and Albany ... “We have nearly 20 volunteer drivers on the roster and all hold a first aid certificate but more importantly they all have a strong desire to help others and enjoy meeting and talking to people”: Yvonne Hortin, Service coordinator.

Andrew Mole. There is a certain can-do attitude when it comes to Koondrook and getting things done – and the town’s CFA volunteers are a prime example. On Sunday, the local brigade held a very casual, very enthusiastic and very well received open day to unofficially officially unveil its new annex.

Succulent Fest, hosted at Bunker’s Hill State School, is increasingly becoming a flagship event of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, this year’s staging attracting over two thousand visitors and raising nearly $12,000. This year marked the sixth staging of the event, organised by group of volunteers under the P&C Association of the school.

Sean Cunningham. The decision to keep Lockhart Airstrip opened has proved to be a good one with a group of workers regularly toiling hard to maintain it. Early last year, Lockhart Shire Council was considering closing the airstrip, however after many submissions were received requesting council to reconsider its proposal, council agreed by resolution to continue with the lease of the airstrip.

Maureen Donnellon. Zone meetings of Historical Societies are always important gatherings held twice a year to hear from the 20 groups who comprise the Midland Zone ... Much research is done for sporting reunions as well as family research and Elaine has given countless hours of her time as a volunteer, a very worthy recipient of her award.

From major flooding and storm response to countless emergency calls and bushfire support, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Broken Hill Unit is celebrating 40 years of saving lives and creating safer communities. Formed in 1984, the NSW SES Broken Hill Unit has a proud history of protecting the people of Far West NSW during floods, storms, and other emergencies.

We are a collective of CFA Brigades in Districts 16 and 18 who have taken a position where our Brigade will not commit to operating on or around electricity generation and transmission infrastructure by taking a perimeter only defence position except for where lives or safety of public is threatened. Specifically, this is Renewable Energy Infrastructure (REI) being wind turbines, large-scale solar and battery installations, high voltage (220 kva plus) transmission lines and connection hubs.

Joanna Tucker. "Our primary mission was to utilise our skills and existing expertise to provide assistance to US teams who have been battling these fire complexes since July. Our secondary mission was to provide learning opportunities, and to understand how (the US experience) may improve our existing capabilities and strategies when managing fires in SA": Kadina CFS volunteer Justin Baxter.

Andrew Bayles’s early aerial photograph speaks for itself. Every available parking space had been taken up well before football’s senior grand final ... On Saturday, Donald delivered a “double whammy” with a record-breaking grand final day alongside the Borung Highway, as well as a widely broadcast race meeting on the Donald racecourse, little more than a stone’s throw away from the football, netball and hockey.

Serena Kirby. A committee has been formed to help secure an electric commuter van. The move is to reduce social isolation, created by Denmark’s lack of community transport. This commuter van will offer a green transportation option for community groups and residents.

An innovative portrait project at Uniting Caroona Yamba by renowned local artist Harry Westera is uniting residents and staff, fostering a friendly community and preserving precious memories ... When his wife Grace, a Pastoral Carer at Caroona Yamba suggested he volunteer he took up the opportunity, and in 2 years he has hand drawn 91 portraits of residents, 52 of which adorn the walls of Caroona, with more being added regularly.

Madison Eastmond. A Berri equine charity is searching for volunteers so its therapy services for the wider Riverland community can continue ... Over the past three years, Miracle Park Stables have provided therapeutic avenues for those struggling with mental health and/or have a disability to build self-esteem, self-efficacy, resilience and emotional regulation skills through a variety of programs.

The Directors of the Regional Community Vet Clinic (RCVC) are delighted to announce that after years of hard work to find a suitable location, they have finally secured a permanent home to build their clinic. The clinic, which will be wholly owned by RCVC, will be the first Not-for-Profit community veterinary clinic in regional Victoria.

Serena Kirby. Denmark Senior High School emergency services cadets gathered last week for a meet and greet with Local Government and Youth Minister Hannah Beazley. Ms Beazley, who is also Emergency Services Minister Parliamentary Secretary, said the cadets program was the favourite thing in her portfolio.

The night sky in Kaniva has a new star attraction: a colour-changing windmill, the crowning achievement of a three-year community-driven lighting project that has transformed the town’s main street. From purple to blue, red, green, and gold, the windmill now lights up with subtle hues, adding a splash of color to the town’s nighttime landscape.

Volunteers have been kept busy at the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre (NAHC) ... During the week members of the NAHC Board entertained the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor Margaret Gardner AC and her entourage.

As the community eagerly awaits the arrival of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour visit to Mt. Wycheproof, it’s timely to shine a spotlight on the incredible volunteers at the local community hub – the Wycheproof Op-Shop. These dedicated individuals are often the backbone of our community, working tirelessly to raise funds for vital initiatives that make a real difference in our town.

Firefighting capabilities and support to better protect residents in south-western NSW and the food bowl in the Riverina have received a $3.9 million boost. NSW Rural Fire Service Chief Superintendent Kelwyn White officially opened two new brigade stations and upgraded training facilities, handed over five firefighting trucks and recognised more than 160 volunteers in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) this week.