As the week of the 9/5 is volunteer week, our Interchange program and Hume Riverina Community Legal Service, have organised a couple of functions to recognise their volunteers. I was privileged to hand out certificates for both services this week. I did so in our Wangaratta office, for the Wangaratta based HRCLS volunteers, in our meeting room, named after a long serving, retired Board and Life member, Gillian Mallinder. Gillian is an esteemed community member and founding partner in the legal firm Campagner, Gray and Mallinder. Very appropriate.
I said at the time that volunteers are the defining feature of agencies like UMFC. We couldn’t function without them ( notably our foster parents and Interchange camp volunteers ). UMFC has about 250 volunteers across our services including our Board, who accept final accountability for the organisation. For paid staff like me there is a clear rationale for turning up, we get a wage. Our volunteers turn up because they want to make a contribution to their community on top of their work and other commitments. UMFC has built an enviable reputation thanks to both parties, may the successful partnership long continue.
To all those who volunteer, thank you and I hope you receive the acknowledgment you deserve.
