After what feels like one natural disaster after another battering the Australian countryside, it couldn’t be a more relevant time to recognise local volunteers on International Volunteers Day. 

The ongoing floods that cover the Western Plains have kept local organisations busy for weeks now, with the SES working overtime to inform and protect the community from further damage. 

18-year-old Felicity Hardwick joined the Rural Fire Service (RFS) in 2018 in the hopes of gathering experience for her future degree, where she aspired to become a paramedic or firefighter. One year later, she added the SES to her resume, keeping her busy throughout her schooling. 

“This year with the floods that just came through we’ve been quite busy. I’ve been placing sandbags out the front of community houses, monitoring the water meter under the bridge so that it doesn’t overflow, and waiting for people to call and ask for our help,” Ms Hardwick said. 

Prior to the floods, her duties involved volunteering around the community in tasks such as retrieving items off of roofs. 

Ms Hardwick said that while being part of the team has sometimes required sacrifice in other parts of her life, the satisfaction is immeasurable. 

“There have been jobs that come up that you need to go to and have to miss parties for,” Ms Hardwick said. 

“When I was in hospital in Sydney, my whole Coonamble team came and visited me. The whole team did the head shave for me,” she said. 

She’s been wise to reap the rewards of her hard work, with universities showing interests in her volunteer history.

Despite the sacrifices, young people are happily taking up the community-driven roles that characterise Australia, and that make an estimated annual contribution of 4290 billion to the country’s economic and social good. 

On Thursday 2 December, The Centre for Volunteering announced that Broken Hill school student Abbie Kelly was named both the 2021 NSW Volunteer of the Year and Young Volunteer for her contribution to charitable causes. 

At 12 years old, Abbie has become a tireless fundraiser for efforts to find a cure for cancer.

To anyone considering rolling up their sleeves and joining a cause that assists the community, Ms Hardwick said there is nothing quite as rewarding.

“Honestly, it’s worth it. It may look boring, and it may seem overwhelming to start off with it, but just go for it,” she said.  

“Yes, it can be a lot of commitment, but you get a lot out of it.”

International Volunteers Day is tomorrow - Sunday 5 December. 

Thank you to all those across the Western Plains who make time to help others in their communities by giving a little - or a lot - of time, effort and kindness. Long may you thrive.