There's so much going on around Hobsons Bay regarding volunteering that we thought it was worth having a special edition about it.

In this edition you can find out about the upcoming Volunteer Awards, opportunities to get involved and some of the volunteer driven events that are happening in Hobsons Bay. Keep reading for more details...

Volunteering is a great way to help your community, learn new skills, meet others and have fun. Volunteers can do a variety of activities in the community such as:

• Visiting older people
• Tutoring refugees in English
• Helping families who have a child with a disability 
• Caring for the environment
• And many more options - limited only by your imagination.

Training can be provided, and often no experience is necessary. Opportunities are available during the week, weekends and after office hours. Many of these volunteer roles only require a time commitment of a couple of hours a week.

To find out about the existing volunteering opportunities in Hobsons Bay, residents can phone the Volunteer Information Line on tel: 9932 1000 or email: info@volunteerwest.org.au

Nominations for the Hobsons Bay Volunteer Awards are now open. These annual awards are being held as part of the 2009 Mayoral Program. The awards recognise and honour individuals, organisations and groups who have made a positive impact on the Hobsons Bay community through voluntary activity.

Individuals can be nominated in one of four categories and there is also an award for organisations, groups and businesses.

We strongly encourage you to nominate people or groups that you know as it's a great way of recognising the work that so many people do to make our community what it is. Nominations close at 5.00pm on Friday, 24th July.

Find out more about the Volunteer Awards, including categories, eligibility criteria and how to submit a nomination.

National Volunteer Week took place in May and a celebration event was held at the Lorraine Bodella Centre to thank volunteers from Hobsons Bay for all the good work they put in throughout the year.

It was run in conjunction with Spotswood and South Kingsville Community Centres and the event itself was coordinated with the help of students and staff from Victoria University's Events Management course.

The day was attended by the Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Councillor Peter Hemphill, a bag-piper, a jazz band and representatives from a wide range of community groups across Hobsons Bay.

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The Big Day Out was held in May, giving people with a disability the chance to engage in a range of physical activities with the assistance of volunteers.

Staff from CPA Australia, ANZ and Matchworks joined Council staff and other participants to do a range of activities, including skateboarding, tai chi, soccer, bush dancing, belly dancing and making mosaics. A highlight of the day was the novelty music band run by the Men's Shed.

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The Amazing Race was another great event recently held in June. New arrivals to Australia studying English at AMES joined Council staff members and corporate volunteers including ANZ and Qenos to visit different locations around Hobsons Bay.

The race gave them the opportunity to learn about their municipality and how to get around using maps and public transport. With the help of Connex staff, they visited libraries, community centres, a police station, major local attractions and the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre.

The day was topped off by a multicultural lunch and a welcome from the Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Councillor Peter Hemphill. 

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The Council has recently formed a partnership with Volunteer West to provide information and referral services for people in Hobsons Bay wanting to find out about volunteering opportunities. John Mirable from Volunteer West is now based at the Council on Tuesdays.

We have also recently launched a range of publications designed to promote volunteering. Look out for the new posters and flyers advertising volunteer opportunities and Volunteer West's new brochure, designed to support new migrants who want to volunteer.

Volunteer West is a small and relatively new organisation that is passionate about promoting and enabling volunteering.

To find out about existing volunteering opportunities in Hobsons Bay call the Volunteer Information Line on tel: 9932 1000 or email: info@volunteerwest.org.au