Today marks the start of National Volunteer Week (16 - 22 May), a chance to forget about the federal election and take time to recognise and celebrate the volunteers that make our communities stronger.

If you live in or near one of the small towns across the western plains there's every chance you are one of this week's V.I.P.s. 

In smaller towns, many of the services we use every day and almost all the sports and special occasions that we enjoy are made possible by the efforts of volunteers like you. 

“This National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the significant contribution made by all of the five million volunteers across Australia," said CEO of Volunteering Australia Mark Pearce. 

“This year’s theme is ‘better together’. Volunteering brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone." 

"Together, through volunteering, we are changing communities for the better.” 

It's the womb to tomb approach that creates country communities. 

You may be on a committee that runs a playgroup or preschool, help run the canteen at school, drive a bus for your local youth centre, fundraise for cancer support services, set up the pavilion at the annual show, cook the barbeque at the footy, deliver meals on wheels or run the bingo, you may even sit on your local council. 

In even the smallest towns there is so much to do and so many cogs to make the wheels go around. 

From local Aero Club members who refuel aircraft at the airstrip through to retired nurses who run yoga or Zumba classes to keep us well, church members who conduct their own services when no priest is available through to those who provide critical rapid response in emergencies.  

This year Volunteering Australia is calling on everyone to ‘wave your appreciation’ for volunteers and thank the millions of volunteers around Australia.  

"With flooding, fires and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, the past few years have undoubtedly been tough for all Australians," Mr Pearce says. 

"Holding us up in these times of crisis are over one million volunteers supporting Australia’s crisis resilience, of which more than 400,000 work directly in emergency response and relief." 

Some of Lachlan shire's emergency service volunteers at a recent training session. PHOTO Sally Bennett. 

Our nation’s volunteers are the country’s backbone during crisis and emergency and a new report has revealed how essential volunteers are to Australia’s crisis resilience. 

The Volunteering Australia research examines the volume and breadth of volunteers playing crucial roles in communities during natural disasters and COVID-19 outbreaks.  

This skilled workforce includes over 200,000 volunteers in fire services organisations and around 25,000 volunteers in State and Territory Emergency Service.  

A further 200,000 volunteers are engaged in over 1,000 registered emergency and relief charities.  

On top of this, many thousands of often ‘invisible’ volunteers help informally and spontaneously to support communities before, during and after crises.  

"Our communities have taken a big hit in recent times and yet volunteers are always there when we need them," Mr Pearce said. 

Volunteers contribute significantly across crisis prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery in many key roles.  

“The aftermath and the impact of disasters are felt long after an event has taken place. Volunteers provide support to those affected by crises, including in mental health and suicide prevention services, which typically experience a surge in demand during and after disasters,” Mr Pearce says.  

Mental health and suicide prevention services are especially critical during major emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.  

For example, Lifeline engages 10,000 volunteers across Australia. In 2018, these volunteers answered 739,481 calls and initiated 5,840 emergency interventions for Australians in need of crisis support.  

Through the pandemic and following the recent floods calls for help have skyrocketed so we need our volunteers now more than ever. 

“We encourage everyone to come together and support their communities by offering your time and skills to help others," Mr Pearce says. 

Volunteering Australia is calling on all Australians to ‘wave your appreciation’ and share a photo of themselves waving their hand of thanks and using the hashtags #NVW2022 and #waveforvolunteers. 

So if you're a member of a volunteer group, or just a helper in your community, give yourself a wave this morning in the mirror then go out and show your appreciation to any other volunteers you see. 

If you have a story about a special unsung volunteer or group in your area then drop us a line and let us know [email protected], message us on facebook or give us a call 0428 222517.