“Thanks a Million” for volunteers in Tasmania

National Volunteer Week, 13-19 May 2013

Community members and organisations came from far and wide today to celebrate the amazing
work of the 158,000 Tasmanian volunteers who give more than 49,000 hours on any given day
across the State, to around 5,000 organisations, at the launch of National Volunteer Week in
Tasmania.

Volunteering Tasmania CEO Adrienne Picone said National Volunteer Week runs from 13-19 May
and aims to recognise the contribution of the six million volunteers who offer their time and
dedication to Australian communities.

“During National Volunteering Week we are calling on all Tasmanians to get involved and help us
thank the State’s volunteers by sharing photos, videos and messages of thanks on Volunteering
Tasmania’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/VolunteeringTasmania) and via Twitter
(@VolunteerTas and #NVW2013),” Ms Picone said.

“Volunteering is vital to Tasmania’s communities, reflected in the statistics which show that over
41 per cent of the State’s adult population are engaged in formal volunteering, compared to the
national rate of just 36 per cent.

“Volunteers help make Tasmania the great place it is to live and the difference they make to our
society is immeasurable. As such it is important that we acknowledge the ever growing wide range
of roles which make up the volunteer sector and the important role they play in our lives.”

Ms Picone said Tasmania’s community focus and giving spirit had really shone through during the
January bushfires and subsequent clean-up activities.

“Thousands of people literally dropped everything to roll up their sleeves to help on the ground,
while hundreds held fundraisers, donated goods and offered their homes and support for those who
lost so much so quickly during the fires,” she said.

“Volunteering Tasmania alone registered over 600 people wanting to volunteer as part of the
recovery efforts and National Volunteering Week is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to say thank
you.

“The January bushfires volunteer efforts also highlighted the incredible difference volunteers can
make both on an everyday and long-term scale.

“Volunteering is the lifeblood of many Tasmanian communities and as such their contributions, time
and dedication must be recognised and celebrated, and National Volunteering Week is the perfect
time to say thanks a million.”

Those Tasmanians inspired by recent volunteer efforts and now thinking about volunteering and not
sure where to start, can simply head to Volunteering Tasmania’s website
(www.volunteeringtasmania.org.au) or phone 1800 677 895.
Volunteering Tasmania CEO Adrienne Picone