Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I join with the member for Griffith in supporting this motion, and I acknowledge and thank the many volunteers who dedicate their time in my electorate of Dobell. The week from 11 to 17 May was National Volunteer Week. In the lead-up to this week my local community of the Central Coast was reminded of the true value of volunteers when we were savaged by storms. Recently in parliament, I spoke of the impact that this natural disaster had on my community. Without the efforts and dedication of local volunteers, the impact on the community would have been far more severe. While we are reminded of the value of volunteers through testing times, we also encounter their outstanding work every day in our community.

This year's theme, Give Happy Live Happy, speaks volumes about the roles that volunteers play within our community. Last week I had the pleasure of joining with the Wamberal Surf Lifesaving Club and The Entrance Surf Lifesaving Club, and they definitely 'give happy' and 'live happy' Across our nation over six million Australians give their time to enrich the lives of others, from mums and dads who cook the barbecue at footy on the weekend to the members of the rural fire brigade and state emergency services who help us during our most desperate times of need. Our everyday lives are enhanced by volunteers. Volunteers give up countless hours of their time to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes for our communities. Volunteering is a strong Australian tradition—so strong that it is estimated to be worth more than $200 billion a year.

For me, the noblest aspect of a volunteer's work is their dedication and commitment towards a healthier and stronger community. Volunteers do not wake up in the morning and set about their day for personal gain; they do it to genuinely improve another person's quality of life. Each year in my local community, over 16,000 men and women give their time through volunteering. One of the great joys of being a member of parliament is the opportunity to meet and support these volunteers and the organisations to which they belong. Last week, I joined with The Entrance Rotary for their annual Pride of Workmanship Awards. Organisations such as Rotary and Lions give so much to our community. On the night, it was said that organisations such as Rotary need more volunteers. You do not need to become a member of a Rotary or a Lions group to contribute, and they would welcome you to assist them at any time.

In a world where we are working more, commuting more and striving for that work-life balance, volunteering may not be at the forefront of our minds. When it comes to volunteering, it is true to say that you can give as little or as much time as you wish; it all makes a difference. I am immensely proud of the role volunteers play in our community—from surf-lifesaving, the iconic image of the Australian summer, to local Men's Sheds, which ensure senior Australians have a place to go, support one another and contribute to their community; from Landcare groups, ensuring that future generations enjoy our beautiful, natural environment, to local sports groups, providing the opportunity for our children to participate in a healthy and active lifestyle. These are the men and women who put so much passion into their work, often for little recognition or reward. Once you start to dig under the surface, you begin to see how much of our community is underpinned by volunteers.

In my job, a day does not go by where I do not meet with or talk to someone volunteering in our community. I have had the privilege of sharing some of these remarkable stories with this parliament. Organisations such as Share the Love, which grew from two volunteers in a garage into a successful charitable organisation, ensure that young parents are able to provide their children with the best start in life. The Central Coast Cancer Council Relay for Life, which has been supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer for close to two decades, is organised by volunteers. Marine Rescue protect those using our beautiful beaches and lakes, the Rural Fire Service protect us in times of bushfire and the SES assist during times of natural disaster.

Volunteers also complement the financial side of an organisation. For some organisations, there is simply not enough money to undertake all that is needed. Volunteers who work pro bono, out of the goodness of their hearts, free up funds that can be allocated to other areas of the organisation, usually of benefit to the community. Most organisations would not have the financial means to pay for positions such as bookkeeper, social media person or groundsman. Volunteers who take on the many roles available ensure that organisations keep operating, and the community receives the benefits. Five minutes today in parliament simply is not enough time to convey our appreciation for our volunteers and the work they do to underpin our community. (Time expired)

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