ACT Government Supports International Volunteer Day

5 December 2004

ACT GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY

Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services John Hargreaves today paid tribute to Canberrans who volunteer, as part of International Volunteer Day.
International Volunteer Day, held on 5 December annually, is officially recognized by the United Nations as a day on which volunteers around the world are recognized and celebrated for their contributions and dedication.
Mr Hargreaves made the comments while participating in the Three Monkey's Race, run by Sailability ACT. Sailability is a "not for profit", volunteer-based organisation which, through the activity of sailing, enriches the lives of people with any type of disability, the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged.
"Volunteers give their time, skills, labour and leadership because they want to make a difference to their community," Mr Hargreaves said today.
"It is organisations such as Sailability and the volunteers that participate in it that enrich the lives of disabled people in the community."
Mr Hargreaves said the ACT Government is proud of Canberra's volunteering record and actively supports Canberrans to become volunteers.
"Canberrans should be proud of our volunteering record, with surveys showing Canberra as having the highest level of volunteering of all capital cities," he said.
"The ACT Government has established a set of core conditions for ACT Public Servants that support all ACT staff who may wish to perform volunteering work during their public service careers."
Mr Hargreaves said he is eager to address key issues of concern to volunteers and congratulates Volunteering ACT on developing the Agenda for Volunteering for the ACT Community 2003-2007.
"I am looking forward to working with Volunteering ACT on implementing the objectives of the Agenda through engaging with volunteers and volunteering organisations in the community," Mr Hargreaves said.

Media Contact:
Liz Lopa
Ph 6205 0292
M 0411 658 957
liz.lopa@act.gov.au

John Hargreaves MLA
MINISTER FOR DISABILITY, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
MINISTER FOR URBAN SERVICES
MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
MEMBER FOR BRINDABELLA