To celebrate National Volunteers Week from May 21 – 27, Federal Member for Oxley Milton Dick MP and Volunteering Services Australia will be hosting a Volunteer Recognition Afternoon Tea at La Mocha café in Springfield Lakes this coming Friday May 25.

Representatives and volunteers from local schools, community groups and service organisations will be in attendance.

Local Federal Member Milton Dick MP said it was important to recognise the invaluable role volunteers play in society.

“Today is an opportunity to thank our local volunteers for all their hard work” said Mr Dick.

“Volunteers are an incredibly important part of so many local groups and it’s important that we thank them for their tireless service to our community.

“There are almost 6 million Australians who volunteer across the country and we have some of the best right here in Springfield.

This year’s National Volunteers Week theme is Give a little. Change a lot.

This years’ theme represents the millions of volunteers who make a profound impact in their communities and on society, through giving a little time.

A University of Adelaide study has found that volunteering in Australia is now worth more than the mining industry, declaring the true extent of its monetary value to be more than $200 billion a year.  Its economic contribution to Australian society outstrips revenue sources from mining, agriculture and the retail sector.

Volunteering in Australia Facts: (https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/nvw-facts/)

• Almost 1 billion hours of volunteering occurs every year
• Research demonstrates that volunteering yields a 450% return for every dollar invested. Nationally, this is an estimated annual contribution of $290 billion.
• The State of Volunteering in Australia Report found that 93% of people saw positive changes as a result of their volunteering efforts.