Celebrating Volunteers

Give a Little, Change a Lot - 2018 National Volunteer Week, from Monday 21 until Sunday 27 May, saw thousands of events held across the country, including Brown Hill, to say thank you to the 6 million Australians who volunteer their time.

On Sunday 20 May, the eve of 2018 National Volunteer Week, Brown Hill had its first Volunteer Celebration. Around 100 people enjoyed a scrumptious afternoon tea at the Brown Hill Cricket Clubrooms, catered by local, Penthea from Vegas and Rose. All volunteers were awarded a certificate of recognition presented by Federal Member Catherine King MP and City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh.

Brown Hill's volunteers make sure our fantastic suburb has a wonderful community hall and pool, many different sporting activities, an annual community festival, a kindergarten and primary school engaged with the community, a variety of support groups, this community newsletter and more. Volunteers also raise funds through our local service and church groups to invest in local activities.

City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh said she was impressed to learn that some 350 people give their time, their skills and energy to community groups which operate in Brown Hill. "People who volunteer don’t often count the cost of their giving; but the difference their volunteering makes is profound. In fact, we depend on it. It’s a big part of what transforms places like Brown Hill into a genuine community."

The volunteer celebration allowed locals to meet each other, with newsletter delivery volunteer, Susie, saying, “I’d love to come along to meet more volunteers.” It was heartening to see volunteers from Brown Hill's community, education, sporting and activity groups introducing themselves and chatting about their volunteering experiences.

Federal Member Catherine King MP mentioned how much she enjoyed being a part of the celebrations and another newsletter delivery volunteer, Sue, wrote, “Thank you for organising the lovely afternoon tea today. I am really glad I came and was able to connect with some of the amazing volunteers from around the area of Brown Hill. It is very inspiring to hear what everyone does. We are certainly a very blessed neighbourhood.”

The celebration was coordinated by the Brown Hill Progress Association, Brown Hill Lions and Brown Hill Lioness Clubs and the Brown Hill Cricket Club and received funding from the City of Ballarat through the Community Impact Grants program.

Thanks to our suppliers, Penthea from Vegas and Rose for catering, Nigel Stevens Photography, Ballarat Mailworks, the City of Ballarat for a great certificate design and the Brown Hill Cricket Club and Eureka Athletics for use of their shared clubrooms.

We would also like to thank volunteers Brendan, Barry, Glenis, Phil and Sarah for coordinating the celebration.

Sarah Greenwood-Smith
Brown Hill Progress Association's Newsletter and Festival Coordinator


For information about National Volunteer Week, see: volunteeringaustralia.org/nvw/


Brown Hill Volunteers celebrating National Volunteer Week. Photographer – Nigel Stevens.