LIFELINE Mid Coast has been congratulated by NSW Minister Victor Dominello for signing a statement of principles promoting recognition and fairness for volunteers.
The Minister for Citizenship and Communities was in Port Macquarie last week to speak with staff and volunteers from Lifeline.
Mr Dominello presented a certificate to Lifeline Mid Coast chairman Mort Shearer for signing the State Government’s statement.
“Volunteers might work for free, but their contributions are priceless – as I’m sure anyone who has benefited from Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis telephone service knows well,” Mr Dominello said.
“Local Lifeline volunteers are making a committed and significant contribution to help protect people at their most vulnerable.”
Mr Shearer said the board, staff and volunteers thanked Mr Dominello for developing this long overdue recognition of the value that volunteers bring to our community and to every other community across Australia.
“More importantly, this statement of principles recognises the rights of volunteers to proper standards of training, consultation and respect and we heartily endorse these principles,” Mr Shearer said.
Mr Dominello said volunteers in NSW contributed more than 240 million hours of voluntary work each year, estimated to be worth $5 billion.
Organisations considering signing the statement of principles for the recognition of volunteers can get more information from www.volunteering.nsw.gov.au
