Celebrating our valuable volunteers
Published on 17 May 2022
Celebrations recognising the role volunteers play in making the Gannawarra a great place to live occurred earlier this week at Cohuna and Kerang.
Gannawarra Shire Council hosted National Volunteers Week morning tea at Atkinson Park, Kerang on Monday, 16 May and Garden Park, Cohuna on Tuesday, 17 May.
The celebrations attracted more than 50 people across the two days, representing community groups and Council services.
“Our volunteers play a pivotal role in the community, whether it is raising funds for valuable services or transporting meals to our senior residents,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.
“National Volunteer Week, which runs to 22 May, provided the best opportunity to recognise our great volunteers, especially after the challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
ABOVE: National Volunteers Week celebrations were held at Cohuna on Tuesday, 17 May 2022.
The events doubled as celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Meals on Wheels in the Gannawarra.
“Although the program was established locally in 1970, restrictions in place due to COVID-19 had limited the opportunities available to celebrate this important milestone,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“Since its creation to support Shire of Kerang residents, the Meals on Wheels program has grown to a program supported by Council, Cohuna District Hospital and Kerang District Health, with 224 volunteers delivering up to 14,000 meals a year to residents throughout the municipality prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our amazing team of Community Care workers continued on the efforts of our volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with volunteers returning to assist with this popular program when restrictions were eased.”
As well as its Meals on Wheels program, Council relies on volunteer support for the Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service, the L2P Driver Educator Program and to assist with tourism enquiries at Cohuna’s Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre.
If you would like to become a volunteer for any of Council’s programs, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/volunteer or phone Council on (03) 5450 9333.
MAIN PHOTO: National Volunteers Week celebrations were held at Kerang on Monday, 16 May 2022.