A special event to celebrate and recognise the vital and important work of volunteers in our community will be hosted in Deniliquin on May 17.
Hosted during National Volunteers Week (May 15-21), the Deniliquin Volunteering & Community Group Expo forms part of a series of events and initiatives from the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group (Deni MHAG).
The event series is funded by the NSW Government’s Covid-19 Community Connection and Wellbeing Program, and seeks to embed the Five Ways to Wellbeing - be active, connect, keep learning, help others and be aware - into the community.
“Volunteering is an evidence-based action that helps our wellbeing, and we want to encourage as many people as possible in our community to experience the benefit of this,” said Deni MHAG member Lourene Liebenberg.
Supported by Edward River Council, and working in collaboration with U3A, the expo is open to everyone in the community.
It will be held at the Deniliquin Town Hall from 10am to 2pm.
“Firstly, we would love to see all volunteers join us at any time between 10am and 2pm to have a cuppa and something to eat,” Mrs Liebenberg said.
“It will be a relaxed atmosphere, with live music and some lovely food from Cafe 100.
“We know many volunteers work and we hope by providing this four hour time slot, most would be able to pop in and have a cuppa with us”.
The event also includes an opportunity for all community groups who rely on volunteers to be part of the expo.
Groups that are interested can display some brochures, their banners and have some representatives there to answer any questions from members of the community, who are also welcome to attend.
“This is an opportunity for groups to provide information to members of the community about the activities of their group, what volunteers can contribute to, and to possibly recruit new group members or volunteers,” Mrs Liebenberg said.
Service and volunteer groups will also have an opportunity to deliver a two to three minute talk as part of the program.
This part of the program starts at 10am with a welcome from Mayor Peta Betts, followed by a short wellbeing talk.
Every 45 minutes there will be short talks by various groups - service groups and charities at 10.45am, health groups at 11.30am, interest groups at 12.15pm and Edward River Council at 1pm, followed by emergency services who rely on volunteers.
A giant thank you card will also be available for anyone to leave an appreciation message to their favourite volunteers.
The card will also be available to sign at the Deniliquin Library leading up to the event.
“It is going to be a wonderful day, where we want to show our volunteers how much we appreciate them and highlight the amazing work they do,” Mrs Liebenberg said.
“A social media event will be created on the Deni MHAG Facebook page, and we ask people to respond to that so we can make sure we have enough food.”
Anyone interested in having a stall at the expo can email lourene@bigpond.com or text on 0428 281 060, or email ellie.danckert@edwardriver.nsw.gov.au.