In the Break O'Day community, I fear that some things may be lost forever if we don't move quickly and I am sure we are not alone. Our community may be left without essential resources we all rely on to keep our community culture strong.

And what I am talking about here are our dedicated volunteers. In our area, we look forward to many events over the calendar year that not only support our community but bring others which in turn supports our business community.

Things like the annual Athletics Carnival that in its heyday attracted a variety of food vans, show rides and even a Ferris wheel or the St Helens Rotary Regatta which was reinvented as Wheels Wine and Dine.

This event usually includes everything from wood chopping, fireworks, rides, live music and more.

In March, we draw different crowds with the amazing Fingal Valley Festival which features the world coal shovelling competition.

Also around this time, the Game Fishing Classic brings hundreds of fisherman to our area. In June, the St Marys Car Show always attracts a large crowd. We have had music festivals at Stoneyford as well as the famous One Night Stand which, two years later is still the biggest in history. One thing these events all have in common is their reliance on volunteers to make them happen.

I could keep naming events that have been a major part of our community from my time as a little tacker growing up in one of the best places in Tasmania. The events are endless and varied and up until recently, like others in our community, I believed that they would just continue to happen.

But things have changed so much in such a short time and everything is surrounded by a cloud of uncertainty. But it is not just events that we rely on our volunteers for.

Like many small communities, volunteers keep the engine of our community well-greased doing things like; raising money for families in need, organising the weekend markets, keeping not-for-profit organisations afloat as well as putting on events.

Simply put, they keep our community alive. Our communities are a better place to live because of these special people.

These people give so much to make our world a better place to live in, but who looks after them? What happens when volunteers can no longer be there to support us?

Our incredible volunteers are getting older and we are seeing service clubs like the Lions, Rotary and so on struggling to have enough members to go on and sadly some groups are folding.

The effect of COVID has amplified the issues some of these groups have faced and has forced them to essentially isolate from their communities. So what will happen if we lose these groups? Who of us love turning up to watch the Christmas Parade?

And who among us has stopped to think about the work and planning from volunteers that make this happen every year?

And an even bigger question is, who amongst us would put their hand up to volunteer themselves?

Not so many years ago there was a strong culture of volunteerism and an understanding of what this meant to our communities.

The reasons why people volunteer hasn't changed, it's about getting to know and help those in need, offering of a new set of hands to make the work easier for all, creating connections and friendships that endure the test of time.

So why are we struggling for volunteers?

It is because we have taken these services and people for granted for far too long.

We have lost sight of the importance of community connection and giving back.

Today is very different from yesterday and my childhood seems a lifetime ago. While I am by nature an optimistic person I do wonder if we can endure the new norm of our lives after COVID-19 becomes a memory.

I have mentioned previously the positives I feel could come out of COVID, and I hope one of these will be a greater understanding of the importance of volunteering not just to your community but to your wellbeing.

The act of giving through volunteering will make you feel warm and fuzzy too, and that is actual science. There has arguably never been a better time to stand up and be counted and ask yourself what you could do for your community. So let's keep our communities' strong by giving back and putting your hand up to volunteer today.

In closing, I would just like to say a big heartfelt thanks to all volunteers around the state. We see you and we appreciate you.