Volunteer with us!
Published on 27 July 2020
Volunteering can be such a rewarding role, and we would love to hear from anyone interested and able to lend a hand!
Gilgandra Mayor, Doug Batten says,
“Gilgandra Shire is well known for our strong community spirit, with many individuals willing to donate their time and energy to a variety of causes. Council typically has in the vicinity of 200 volunteers helping deliver services to the community, however the recommendations and advice associated with COVID has limited the ability of some to volunteer in their normal capacity”.
“We value the contribution from all of our volunteers and look forward to those who have had to take a step back for the moment rejoining the team. In the meantime we are keen to hear from anyone else interested in helping out”, said Mayor Batten.
Adding,
“As a volunteer with Council, you’ll meet and talk to new people, share your skills and learn a bit more about some of the services Council provides. Given the current climate, any chance to get out and about and talk to each other certainly is a positive thing.”
Council is calling out to anyone interested and able to help out, even for a short time each week with Community Care, Visitor Information, Youth Services and the Gilgandra Library.
Council’s General Manager, David Neeves says,
“We are keen to expand our pool of volunteers and invite them on board to deliver critical support roles to our staff through Community Transport, Meals on Wheels, Youth Breakfast Club and providing Visitor Information. Whether you have a few spare hours after dropping kids to preschool or want to meet some new faces and broaden your skills, we are interested in hearing from you!”.
“Without our volunteers, our community wouldn’t have services currently available and to continue these at the same level, we need more people to put their hand up and help out during this unique and challenging time”, said Mr Neeves.
“Being a volunteer really is a special role, and one that often delivers a valuable service for someone else in our community, and I’d encourage anyone who might be able to help out to get in touch with Council,” said Mayor Batten. “Excitingly, we are also in the process of ordering Gilgandra Region branded shirts. Keep an eye out for them, which will help identify our volunteers while they are out and about in the community”.
The health and safety of our volunteers is of primary importance, and Council encourages anyone interested in volunteering who falls into the NSW Health ‘at risk’ category to first consider the advice and speak with their doctor.
Based on what the NSW Health have provided to date about COVID-19 and what is known about other coronaviruses, those at greatest risk of serious infection are:
- people aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions
- people with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer)
- People with diagnosed chronic medical conditions
- People aged 70 years and older
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions
- There is limited evidence at this time regarding the risk in pregnant women.
Settings at higher risk of outbreaks of COVID-19 are:
- people living in group residential settings
- people in correction detention facilities
Further information can be found through the NSW Health website, www.health.nsw.gov.au
For further information and to register your interest, please contact Council on 6817 8800 or visit our website.
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Contact:
Kathryn Larkin
Marketing and Communications Manager
6817 8800