National Volunteer Week runs from 19 to 25 May and celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together. It’s also a great opportunity for us to say ‘thank you’ to those who give freely of their time, skills and effort to help others. 

This year’s theme, ‘Connecting Communities’, acknowledges the connections volunteers create and the impact they have in building thriving, inclusive communities.

Central Coast Council is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteers contributing countless hours across many areas - our natural environment, libraries, galleries, visitor services and more. 

Many more locals roll up their sleeves and help others in their community every day. Some also volunteer informally, helping neighbours and strangers, especially in times of crisis and adversity.

If you’ve ever volunteered to deliver a meal, clean up bushland, coach a sports team, run a scouting group, foster an animal in need, help school children to learn, acted as a Justice of the Peace, or have regularly given your time to help others – I extend a wholehearted ‘thank you’. Your efforts are truly appreciated.

And to our highly trained volunteer fire and emergency services crews – thank you for the vital role you play in protecting us and keeping our community safe.

Volunteering can have a very positive personal impact. Volunteers report they gain enormous satisfaction from their work and enjoy an increased sense of wellbeing. They develop new skills, make strong community connections, and find a new sense of purpose. 

This National Volunteer Week, I encourage you to have a look at the volunteering opportunities available to you locally and see if you can find as little as an hour each week, or maybe more, to connect with your community and discover for yourself the joy that volunteering can bring. 

Mayor Lawrie McKinna