Salute to our unsung heroes

City of Moreton Bay is using National Volunteer Week (May 18-24) to recognise thousands of selfless individuals who make such a difference to our region.

“Volunteers are all around us - from parents helping out at kids’ sporting clubs, to wildlife rescue groups run solely by volunteers,” Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway said.

“City of Moreton Bay provides a number of opportunities for people to volunteer, including Bushcare groups, environment centres and community disaster management.

“It’s important to recognise and appreciate the invaluable time volunteers give to make City of Moreton Bay an even better place.”

Prime examples include Gary, a founding member of the Nathan Rd Bushcare group in Rothwell and has been volunteering for nearly two decades.

He leads a group of volunteers in hands-on conservation, weeding, and tree planting to develop resilient green spaces.

And Beachmere Community Disaster Management Coordinator volunteer Denise, who was in disaster management before signing up to volunteer after she retired.

Denise wanted to give back to the community she’d been part of for 15 years to support them through extreme weather events.

Opportunities to volunteer with Council supported programs include:

• Bushcare groups: Bushcare provides community members with the opportunity to take part in hands-on conservation and restoration activities. This program is an integral part of the management of bushland reserves and helps conserve and manage bushland areas.
• Environment centres: Kumbartcho Sanctuary, Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC) and Osprey House Environment Centre welcome volunteers. Engagement volunteers welcome visitors, respond to inquiries and assist programs. Grounds volunteers support basic maintenance. Nursery volunteers help propagation of seedlings and planting.
• Community disaster management: This volunteer program of Council's Disaster Management Team, has community-led teams in areas vulnerable to isolation in disaster events.
• Moreton Bay State Emergency Service: The State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer organisation that supports the community in times of emergency and disaster. SES members are highly skilled, unpaid volunteers who do regular training.

“The theme for National Volunteer Week this year is ‘Your Year to Volunteer’ and I encourage residents to explore volunteering opportunities in the community,” Acting Mayor Shipway said.

For more on Council’s volunteer programs, visit Volunteering with Council - City of Moreton Bay. For all other volunteering, contact organisations direct.