Volunteers of Yarrawonga Health, MHA Care and Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre were celebrated and thanked for their hard work.
Many local volunteers were acknowledged through a joint partnership between Yarrawonga Health, Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre (YMCLC), MHA Care and ClubMulwala last week for a thank you morning tea as part of National Volunteer Week.
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The event held in the Endeavour Room of ClubMulwala saw volunteers provided with a beautiful morning tea to show the organisations’ gratitude to the work these volunteers do within the community.
The attendees were also treated to a live singing performance from students of Yarrawonga College P-12 and were also gifted with lucky door prizes donated by local businesses.
Organisers of the Volunteer Morning tea, Executive Officer of Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre Julie-Anne Clarke, MHA Care Volunteer Officer Laura Chatfield and Yarrawonga Health Co-Ordinator of Volunteers Joanne Spence all thanked the volunteers before guest speaker Wellways Mental Health and Community Hub worker Ash Ladgrove spoke to the attendees about how volunteering can assist mental health.
Organisers of the Volunteer Morning tea, Executive Officer of Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre Julie-Anne Clarke, MHA Care Volunteer Officer Laura Chatfield and Yarrawonga Health Co-Ordinator of Volunteers Joanne Spence with some of the prizes of the lucky door draw.
“Volunteering can help mental health through a flow on effect. Being a volunteer has lots of benefits as it can bring meaning and purpose to your life, while increasing your self-esteem and wellbeing,” Ms Ladgrove said.
“Volunteering can relieve stress and alleviate symptoms of depression. As well as having a positive impact on your community, volunteering can improve your relationships.
“Helping others makes us feel good – a life well living.”
After Ms Ladgrove’s insightful talk on volunteering and mental health, each of the organisations Executive Officers personally thanked their volunteers.
Yarrawonga Health CEO Elaine Mallows said this event is particularly meaningful as the organisations are paying tribute to the dedicated and generous people that have voluntarily chosen to undertake a service or duty for their chosen organisation and their community.
“At Yarrawonga Health, they assist our health service not only in just their presence but also in giving of their individual talents and time, and their unwavering assistance to improve patient, resident and family comfort, as well as providing support with resident and community events and fundraising,” Ms Mallows said.
“In an age where time is a commodity, we are truly humbled by the generosity and selflessness of the volunteers.
“The volunteer’s patience, commitment and efforts everyday assist Yarrawonga Health be great and our community great.
“Each and every one of you sitting here today have made a huge difference to the lives of many and on behalf of Yarrawonga Health, our Board, our staff and our patients and residents, I would like to say thank you for your unwavering support and generosity.
“Your efforts never go unnoticed and serves as a great inspiration to many.
“Our organisations are better with volunteers, and I know at Yarrawonga Health we can deliver better services with their support.
“I refer to the theme of National Volunteers Week 2022. We very much are - Better Together, as an organisation, as a health service and as a community.”
MHA Care CEO Michael Hogan thanked all of the volunteers for the great job that they do while noting how fitting this years National Volunteer Week theme is.
“In the Yarrawonga area alone, we have 140 Meals on Wheels volunteers that have delivered 10,650 meals to 112 individuals so far in this financial year,” Mr Hogan said.
“Fifteen FoodShare volunteers have provided 10,903kgs of food to 1228 individuals and families living in Yarrawonga and Mulwala and a further 17,435kgs to local community groups and schools.
“Twenty-one volunteers in our Op Shop without whom we would not be able to operate.
“Research shows volunteers live happier and healthier lives. There is so much more to volunteering than simply giving your time and skills to help others.
“At MHA Care we value our volunteers and are grateful for their ongoing dedication and commitment to providing important and essential services that really do make a difference to the lives of people in our local communities.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre Executive Officer Julie – Anne reiterated how volunteering is rewarding and a great way to learn new skills as it allows you to put your existing skills to use and do something for your community.
“Through YMCLC, we have the Boomerang Bags group who have contributed to a global grassroots movement – connecting and empowering our local communities to tackle plastic pollution at the source,” Ms Clarke said.
“The Oral History Group volunteer their time to assist in telling the stories of residents of the area as stories matter, connect people and make our community stronger.
“Our tax help is also a community-based program. Trained volunteers provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns at tax time.
“We have also recently partnered with MHA Care to work with and support the distribution of the Moira FoodShare Program as we proudly support the FoodShare Coordinator and a team of dedicated and passionate volunteers to distribute this essential community service.
“I would also like to acknowledge Debbie Cooper who has left the Yarrawonga Neighbourhood House/ Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre after nine years to spend time with family and explore new opportunities.
“We thank Deb for her commitment to YNH and the many programs she developed and the volunteers she supported during her tenure. We also wish her the very best in her future endeavours.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for your efforts and ongoing support, we look forward to working with you and welcoming new volunteers.”
