By Eildon MP Cindy McLeish
Volunteering has always been a strong fabric of the Yarra Ranges with so many great community groups and individuals working together to improve the area. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many volunteers had to stop their important work due to restrictions. Their absence was certainly felt across the community and in organisations. Volunteering Victoria estimated during the pandemic, 72 per cent of organisations’ volunteer programs were either only partially operational or non-operational, with 21 per cent of smaller volunteer organisations non-operational. Volunteering Victoria found that only 56 per cent of those who stopped volunteering due to Covid-19 had returned to their commitments in 2021.
It has been challenging for some volunteers to return to their programs after such a shake up in the world. Some people remain cautious or have developed new routines and interests away from volunteering. It is important now to rebuild our strong volunteer base within the community. Volunteers keep our communities active, provide support and care for the elderly and they look after our beautiful natural environment through Landcare groups. They are responsible for running our local junior and senior sporting clubs and at the times when the community is at its most vulnerable, our emergency services volunteers in the CFA and SES are there to protect us. It’s hard to think of any sector in the community that isn’t touched by volunteering. Without volunteers, communities across Victoria, especially in outer suburban and regional areas, would not function. I believe one of the best things we can all do is to roll up our sleeves and get involved.
It is inspiring to see Landcare groups organising working bees again to improve local gardens and parks, community groups planning events and sporting clubs returning to the field. Many of our local junior and senior sporting clubs, although training and competing again, do not have the volunteer numbers they did pre-Covid. Sporting clubs rely heavily on the hard-work and dedication from volunteers to umpire, coach, run the canteen, keep score, organise events and fundraise. We saw what a negative impact the ban of local sports had on players and the community’s wellbeing during Covid-19 lockdown. It was a loss of activity and socialisation. I’m sure none of us want to see it happen again. We know sporting clubs play a crucial role in the community, encouraging children and adults to be active, work as a team, meet new people, and increase our mental health. If you can, I encourage you to get down to your local sporting club, community group, Landcare group, Youth Hub or wherever spikes your interest to roll up your sleeves and be a part of the important community fabric.
