As part of this year’s National Volunteer Week (19-25 May), Blue Mountains City Council is paying tribute to all the volunteers who enrich the local community by generously giving up their time.
This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is ‘Connecting Communities’. Volunteers and the facilities they support connect people by promoting creativity, helping to foster inclusive and happy communities.
Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill said: “We are extremely fortunate to have a large and enthusiastic volunteer force at Council that expand and enhance the services we can offer the community.
“A wonderful illustration of this is the dedicated volunteers at our arts facilities, including the Braemar Gallery and the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, play a vital role in supporting arts engagement and ensuring visitors to our galleries receive a warm and enriching experience.”
At Braemar Gallery, a community Gallery located in Springwood, volunteers are integral to all functions of the facility including administration and installation.
Kerrie Lander (pictured, right), a volunteer at Braemar Gallery since late 2024, said: “The exhibitions change monthly, offering a diverse and inspiring range of artworks in a beautifully restored building. Braemar offers a unique opportunity to local artists, both aspiring and well established.”
At the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, gallery volunteers bring their warmth and knowledge to enhance the visitor experience.
Virginia Bradstreet, who has been volunteering at the Centre for over a decade, commented: “I absolutely love it. The centre is welcoming and the staff are wonderful. Sitting in the gallery for an afternoon every fortnight gives me the opportunity to chat with staff and artists – all incredibly informative – plus interested and interesting visitors. A great place to learn new things.”
Caroline Giniunas, another regular volunteer for the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, reflects on her experience: “As a respite from commercialism, art is a salve for the soul. I love art and enjoy meeting people. Seeing new exhibitions is wonderful. I just love being a volunteer at the Cultural Centre.”
“By giving up their valuable time, volunteers enrich our region’s vibrant cultural life and they help others to stay connected,” Cr Greenhill said.
“To all our volunteers, from the volunteers in our arts and cultural facilities, to our dedicated Bushcare, Swampcare and Trackcare warriors, and to our new Planetary health Centre volunteers, I can’t thank them enough.”
For those interested in volunteering with any of Council’s arts and cultural facilities please contact culturaldevelopment@bmcc.nsw.gov.au.
