Every day hundreds of volunteers change lives in Ballarat. It is estimated that over 1000 volunteers donate their time across a range of organisations, providing hundreds of thousands of hours of work to the local community each year, at no cost.

In Ballarat people of all ages and backgrounds give generously of their time and energy, expertise and enthusiasm but there is a need for more.

City of Ballarat Portfolio Councillor for People and Communities Cr John Philips is urging members of the local community to give their time throughout 2012 as a volunteer.

“Volunteers can make an important difference in the lives of individuals, particularly those who might otherwise be lonely or isolated due to age, family circumstances, ill health, disability or economic circumstances.”

“The City of Ballarat alone has several hundred volunteers who help Council deliver key programs and services each year such as the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Meals on Wheels, the Visitor Information Centre and Council’s Community Committees as well as a range of community events.”

“Without our volunteers Council would not be able to deliver the range of services it currently provides so if people have the time, Council has the positions.”

“It’s important for Council, when calling for new volunteers, to recognise and thank our volunteers for the work they do. We are lucky to have these people working with us. They really are inspirational and make a difference to the lives of so many in our community, making Ballarat a better place to live.”

Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes and are all an integral and valuable part of the Ballarat community. Some organisations in Ballarat that rely on support of volunteers include (but are not limited to);

• Sovereign Hill Museums Association,
• Ballarat Hospice Care,
• Gandarra Palliative Care,
• Vision Australia,
• Child and Family Services,
• Ballarat Riding for the Disabled,
• United Way Ballarat,
• Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council,
• Ballarat SES Unit,
• Ballarat Community Health,
• Anglicare Ballarat,
• Pinarc Support Services,
• Haddon & District Community House,
• Centacare,
• Catholic Diocese of Ballarat;
• Ambulance Victoria,
• KIDS Foundation,
• McCallum Disability Services,
• Ballarat Togolese Association; and
• Leukaemia Foundation of Australia.

For further information or to become a City of Ballarat volunteers Council’s Customer Service Centre on 5320 5500.