Page 432 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 18 February 2020
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These are four key programs that need volunteer support: LIFE, The Neighbourhood Project, PAWS, and iSeniors. I was delighted to recently attend one of their events, two Fridays ago, which was a sport and recreational fair at Amaroo district playing fields. It was wonderful to see so many community and sporting organisations out and about with many young families.
You can also reach out to some other fantastic groups such as GoVolunteer, The School Volunteer Program ACT, the ACT Playgroup Association, the ACT Health Volunteer Services, the ACT parks and conservation service, the RSPCA, the Red Cross, EventsACT and numerous other organisations.
I would also like to thank in advance all our volunteers for the coming National Multicultural Festival this weekend. These volunteers will be assisting with activities such as being information tent assistants, photographers, reception managers, area wardens, as well as general volunteers. The upcoming festival this weekend would not be possible without the generous support of hundreds of volunteers from our community who sacrifice their time and energy every year to come together and support our fantastic celebration of diversity and inclusivity in Canberra.
I am incredibly pleased to speak to the importance of volunteers in our capital. As the government, we are working to make Canberra a more inclusive and welcoming place, and it is extremely important that we acknowledge volunteering efforts and volunteers who may improve the daily lives of our community. I would also like to thank James Milligan MLA for bringing this matter of importance to the Assembly today. It is excellent to speak about something as excellent as volunteering in a collegiate way. I will be working to ensure that we are supporting our volunteers in the ACT in the future. I thank all our current volunteers in the ACT.
MS LEE (Kurrajong) (3.31): It is 2 am. The phone rings. A murmured, “Yeah, mate; give me 15 minutes.” A quick kiss on the forehead—one for me, one for Mia. He pulls on his uniform, grabs his helmet and he is gone. Instantly a knot forms in my stomach, and my mouth feels dry. All of a sudden I am wide awake. The first thing I do is check on Mia—thankfully sound asleep. The next thing I do is log onto the ACT ESA website and check the map for current fires. I see “Active”, written in black and white next to a fire symbol. For the next few hours, I lie wide awake, checking the website every few minutes. Finally, I see “Out/Completed.” That is followed by a beep on my phone, a text message: “Fire is out but I won’t be home for another few hours.”
It is the height of the longest summer we have experienced. Devastating bushfires are ravaging all around us. Everyone is on high alert, coming back early from the Christmas break to be available. Whilst he may wear many hats—father, partner, public servant—the role that takes priority right now is RFS volunteer firefighter.
This summer, when we saw the worst of Mother Nature, we saw the best of the Canberra community. Many, like my partner, Nathan, dropped everything to be available to help fight the fires as a member of the RFS, giving up holiday and weekend time with their families, doing backbreaking physical and manual work for more than 12 hours, and going into work the next day.
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