By Dominique Tassell
Volunteers; they make the world go ’round. And the Southern Downs is no different.
Many of the community-based organisations that provide the services that make our community feel like a home rely heavily on volunteers.
Warwick Community Van relies on around 20 to 25 volunteers, working in teams.
Catherine Cazaly from the van says their volunteers are like family, and care for each other as such.
She says 100 per cent of donations to the van go back into the community, and they pride themselves on being a grassroots community organisation.
“We’re on the ground listening to what the community needs and providing it,” she says.
Catherine says their weekly expenses are paid for by donations, and by revenue from their garage sales and other fundraising.
“The community has really supported what we’re doing and made it possible.”
She says the help of other charities has also made their work possible, such as Lighthouse who sometimes provide the community van with food or clothes in winter.
Catherine says all these groups work together to make Warwick a better place.
If anyone is interested in volunteering or donating supplies to the community van, Catherine says Facebook is the easiest point of contact.
The Warwick Men’s Shed is another volunteer-based group operating in the region, comprising 35 men who undertake jobs for the local community’s betterment.
At the moment, the group are rebuilding Allan State School’s historic sign, are nearly finished working on a cubby house at East State School, and are building tiny tables for two kindergartens. And that’s to only name a few.
They have also built trophies for the Leyburn Sprints and made the Little Libraries you can read about on page 6.
Warwick Men’s Shed president Jeff Harth praised the volunteer group on their efforts and said it’s a testament to them that these jobs are completed.
“We’re always happy to help out,” Jeff said of the group.
A number of our local events and festivals also rely heavily on volunteer efforts.
Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Harvest Festival couldn’t put on the great show they do without the help of their volunteers.
Festival President, Russell Wantling says “it takes a community to put on a community event”.
“This iconic event is a reflection on the hard work that is undertaken by a solely volunteer-based organisation.”
The team behind Warwick-based festival, Jumpers and Jazz in July, have always considered Jumper and Jazz in July to be a ‘community-owned and led’ festival, created and supported by locals.
Nancy DePrada, President of the Jumpers and Jazz volunteer committee, says “the festival does not exist without dedicated volunteers putting their shoulders to the wheel”.
She says it takes a wide variety of skills to bring the “magic festival vibe” each year, from setting up the street to contacting stallholders to to supporting our sponsors.
Nancy encouraged any festival lovers to get involved.
“Whatever time you can spare, we would love to have a chat with you and explore the best fit for you,” she says.
“Individuals, friends, community groups, or couples working together are welcome to consider how they may be able to contribute!”
She says every volunteer role is fully supported by the festival committee for every step along the way.
Anyone interested in volunteering for these roles or in any way can get more info by sending an email to volunteers@jumpersandjazz.com.au or by picking up a volunteer registration form from the Visitor Information Centre at Warwick Town Hall.
National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering and will be held from 16 to 22 May 2022.
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2022 is Better Together.
Volunteering brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone.
National Volunteer Week is a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise the vital work of volunteers and to say thank you.
Together, through volunteering, we are changing communities for the better. We are, Better Together.
