To celebrate National Volunteers Week and to thank local volunteers for their tireless efforts within the community, Bundaberg Regional Council will host a special morning tea next month.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said volunteers were the beating heart of every community and in Council alone, more than 150 volunteers made up the organisation.
He said the morning tea would be a chance for these volunteers, and many more from right around the region, to be thanked for their time.
“The Bundaberg Region is renowned for its generous and caring spirit, made up of thousands of volunteers who give their time and dedication to help others,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“We all know someone who volunteers, whether it is a local firefighter, a tuckshop assistant or the person who delivers Meals on Wheels.
“Our volunteers are all worth their weight in gold.
“During National Volunteer Week the community has the chance to recognise these community members and say thank you to each and every one of them.”
This year the volunteers morning tea will be held on Wednesday 16 May at the Bundaberg Multiplex with local organisations and volunteers invited to attend.
Guest speaker Senior Australian of the Year 2022 Valmai Dempsey will be discussing her passion for volunteering at the event.
Volunteer role lifelong for Val
Starting as a cadet volunteer while still in primary school, Valmai (Val) Dempsey has dedicated her life to St John Ambulance.
With more than 50 years of selfless service to others under her belt, she is one of the Australian Capital Territory’s longest-serving volunteers.
In 2020, Val faced her biggest challenge yet as a St John Ambulance volunteer.
First with the ‘Black Summer’ bushfires, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, Val led 40 fellow volunteers as they supported fire-affected communities during the emergency that stretched over many weeks.
Then when the pandemic hit, she displayed unwavering commitment to the St John team, despite heavy impacts on team morale.
Without hesitation, Val personally contacted every volunteer to check they were ‘doing okay’ in terms of welfare, mental health and morale.
It is these tireless commitments to St John that has led many in the community to know her lovingly as ‘Aunty Val’.
Bundaberg Regional Council has sponsored tickets to the morning tea event for its volunteers to show its appreciation for the support they provide to its facilities and services.
The event is also open to the community for anyone interested in hearing Val speak about her incredible volunteering journey to attend and show their appreciation for all of the region’s volunteers.
Tickets for the Council’s volunteer morning tea, are available to purchase here.
Council’s volunteer morning tea
When: 10 am to 11.30 am on Tuesday, 16 May
Where: Bundaberg Multiplex
Cost: $15 per person – please note ticketing closes Friday 5 May.
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After volunteering, especially through COVID, we have to pay for our own morning tea for someone to thank us??? We used to have free morning teas put on by the council..every year..until covid hit…is this an excuse to make us pay for it. We’ll, I won’t be going, if that’s the case. I’ll look in the mirror and sya THANKYOU to myself!!!!
Volunteers have to pay to attend their thank-you morning tea??? What a slap in the face! I do a lot of volunteering and there is no way I will attend an event that I have to pay for to say thank you to me.