Almost one quarter of Ballarat’s population is a volunteer.
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That’s 29,810 people in the city who donate their time to make an impact in the community, a number higher than the national rate of 19 per cent.
National Volunteer Week from May 21 to 27 is dedicated to celebrating their generous contribution.
Below, we feature the stories of some of Ballarat’s compassionate volunteers.
You can find out all about volunteering in Ballarat at the Festival of Volunteering at Housey Housey on Saturday May 26 from 10am to 2pm.
CARMEN SIMKIN
Carmen Simkin is a familiar face at the Ballarat Base Hospital and Ballarat Regional Integrated Cancer Centre.
She offers a welcoming smile and a listening ear to patients and family, hoping to reduce stress levels during their visit.
GERARD NAGLE
Not many people would imagine a ventilated quadriplegic could surf.
For Gerard Nagle, helping it happen was one of the most emotional moments of his time as a volunteer.
FIONA SMITH
Fiona Smith has a special understanding of what it means to receive support from an organisation like Eureka Mums.
JANE LESOCK
Jane Lesock has been volunteering in Clunes, helping drive its growth and revitalisation, for more than two decades.
ANTHONY TIGCHELAAR
Anthony Tigchelaar is all too aware sporting clubs wouldn’t exist without the support of passionate volunteers.
JANE* LIFELINE
Jane* never has any idea what to expect when she picks up the phone as a Lifeline volunteer.
ALEASHA KELLY
Volunteering with a Salvation Army youth mentoring program has helped Aleasha Kelly decide her career path.