By Parker McKenzie
A volunteer expo and family fun day will be held on Saturday May 13 from 12pm to 4pm at Coonara Community House in Upper Ferntree Gully, giving people the opportunity to explore volunteering opportunities in their local community.
Organised by Volunteer for Knox, the expo will feature community organisations from across the City of Knox who can help find the fit for those looking to offer their time and expertise alongside activities for families and children to take part in.
Volunteer for Knox Manager Sally Dusting-Laird said 33 different organisations will be in attendance.
“Local Newspapers like the Boronia and Basin News, the Knox Environment Society needs volunteers for its indigenous garden, the Knox Historical Society, the Salvation Army, Op Shops, Food Share organisations and organisations that feed the homeless to name a few,” she said.
“People underestimate the type of volunteer roles that are available and volunteer roles are really endless.”
The event coincides with National Volunteer Week and the organisers ask for gold coin donation upon entry.
V4K coordinator Mandy Limb said there are many benefits to volunteering.
“Mental health and wellbeing are definitely up there, it reduces social isolation and that may not just be an elderly person that’s stuck at home, it could be young people as well,” she said.
“We find a lot of young people that are studying will go towards a volunteer role because it helps with their studies and looks good on their resume.”
Ms Dusting-Laird said Covid has impacted a lot of organisations, which lost volunteers during the pandemic and are just now starting to gain numbers back.
“We’ve got so many organizations here just needing more and more to get new volunteers back on board,” she said.
“The sector lost about a third of their volunteers, which is significant. We’re hoping this expo inspires people and gets people back on board and to realize how many benefits there are in volunteering for the community as well.”
Some of the kids’ activities on the day include Myuna Farm, a magical giant bubble blower, music and the chance to meet Quentin the support dog, who is a volunteer himself.
Ms Limb said the entire community is invited to the event, which will also involve activities beyond volunteering.
“We just want it to be a day filled with community spirit and everyone’s out and about now and let’s just enjoy that,” she said.
“Everyone that is helping on the day is a volunteer, and this may be a one-off event, or maybe that’s something that they could do in the future.”
For more information, visit volunteerforknox.com.au
