Western Downs Regional Council is raising the awareness of volunteering opportunities across the region through a new online volunteering portal.
To mark National Volunteers Week, Council has launched the online platform to keep the community informed about the various volunteering opportunities available within Council.
Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development, Councillor Kaye Maguire said the platform would be a great asset in encouraging volunteers to remain active.
“The Western Downs region has a large number of parks, galleries, and community facilities that thrive on the devotion and help of volunteers who put in countless hours to ensure our much-loved spaces are the best they can be for the wider community and visitors,” Cr Maguire said.
“By having this online portal, we aim to create a stronger connection among volunteers and demonstrate the benefits of being an active member of our fantastic community here in the Western Downs.”
Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Events and Regional Promotion, Councillor Kylie Bourne said enhanced volunteering opportunities also supported the local economy, with visitors supported to immerse themselves in what the community can offer.
“We have an abundance of visitor experiences which often requires the assistance of volunteers and by having this new platform we hope to not only support local residents to get involved but also showcase volunteering opportunities to visitors,” Cr Bourne said.
“Over and above our beautiful parks and open spaces, the Western Downs is also home to various major events and festivals which really celebrate the people that make it – and we are always looking for volunteers to help us showcase our fabulous local towns.
“There are plenty of people travelling to our region to explore what’s on offer, and by making volunteering more accessible to visitors, we can encourage them to stay a little longer in the region and experience our community for themselves.”
Western Downs Regional Council volunteer, Shirley Makin who has been volunteering at Dogwood Crossing and Miles Historical Village for three years, said there was no greater feeling than helping the community.
“Volunteering has given me the greatest feeling of self-worth, knowing I am playing a small role within the community to help advocate for our beautiful facilities,” she said.
“No day is the same in our volunteering community, from meeting new people that are travelling through, completing tasks you normally wouldn’t and being able to do it with a great bunch of people really makes it worth it.
“I believe it is extremely important to make volunteering opportunities known to visitors and the wider community. Without the hard work of our volunteers, our community would not strive.”
To access the portal, visit https://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/volunteering/
