Volunteers welcomed back to Council's services

Published on 03 November 2021

Meals on Wheels volunteers, Kerang.jpg

Thanks to the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Gannawarra Shire Council’s dedicated group of volunteers are returning to assist with some of Council’s popular services.

Volunteers returned to support the Gannawarra’s Meals on Wheels program for the first time since August on Monday, whilst the Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre is seeking more volunteers to assist with tourists visiting the Cohuna-based information centre on weekends.

This follows on from the resumption of two volunteer-reliant Council programs – the Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service and L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program – in September following the ending of a regional Victoria snap lockdown period in place throughout August.

“Whether it is delivering a hot meal to residents, assisting our young people to learn to drive, helping visitors with tourism enquiries or transporting residents to medical appointments, our dedicated volunteers are the face of the Gannawarra,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

Volunteers assist with Council’s services in the following ways:

  • Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre – Residents from across the Gannawarra assist handling queries from visitors to the Gannawarra’s major tourism information centre.
  • Gannawarra Non-Emergency Transport Service – This community transport service assists people needing to access specialist and/or health care providers in Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill.
  • L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program – Supported by the Transport Accident Commission, this program assists learner drivers aged 16 to 21 years with no access to a supervising driver to gain the 120 hours of driving experience required to apply for a probationary licence.
  • Meals on Wheels – Run in partnership with Kerang District Health and Cohuna District Hospital, more than 200 volunteers help deliver up to 14,000 meals a year to residents throughout the municipality.

“It doesn’t matter how many hours a month you can assist, being a volunteer with Council also benefits those who choose to help out,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“Being a volunteer is a great way to meet new people, develop new skills and support your local community.

“As part of Council’s compliance to the State Government’s Victoria’s Roadmap: Delivering the National Plan and our commitment to protecting the community at this time,  anyone considering volunteering for Council must have received both COVID-19 vaccinations and provide verification of their vaccination status or have a valid medical exemption.”

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.

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