Tasmanians are always willing to pull up their sleeves and help out a mate – whether it be on home soil or abroad.
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In the past week, 18 Tasmanians have flown to Queensland to help residents recover from the floods that swept through the region.
Launceston woman Rachel Bessant and a team of volunteers will travel to the Philippines to distribute donated medical supplies, while a group of doctors from the Launceston General Hospital will travel to Vanuatu to share their expertise.
Closer to home, volunteers work on a daily basis manning the hospital’s canteen, walkers visit the RSPCA to exercise its four-legged residents and parents take time out to coach their children’s soccer teams.
We pitch in with the hope that our actions make life a little easier or enjoyable for someone else. It is a completely selfless act.
About 7.1 million hours are donated by volunteers in Tasmania over a 12-month period, with four in five Tasmanian engaging in volunteering in the past year.
In 2014, those aged 65-74 donated on average 22.8 hours a month helping out in the community, while Volunteering Tasmania research shows that in other age groups (aged 15 and above), individuals volunteered about 12.5 hours a month.
The donation of time saves the economy about $2.5 billion if this service was to be replaced with paid work and Tasmanian employers see $1.2 billion in productivity benefits as a result of employees volunteering
The Economic Value of Volunteering in Tasmania 2014 report shows that if volunteering was an industry, it would be Tasmania’s eighth largest employer.
“It ‘employs’ more than the hospitality, arts and recreation sectors put together; as well as being bigger than all of the agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries combined,” the report said.
“Importantly because volunteers donate their labour this way, every adult in Tasmania effectively ‘saves’ $1710 per annum in their enjoyment of volunteering’s benefits.”
In November, this masthead will recognise the contribution of volunteers at sporting clubs in the North as part of the 2017 Junior Sports Awards.
The community is encouraged to nominate a volunteer coach, official, parent or umpire who dedicates time to ensure children enjoy their recreational pursuits.
To nominate, visit www.examiner.com.au
