The Rotary Club of Ringwood meets on a weekly basis at Club Ringwood on the corner of Maroondah Highway and Oban Road. The Club features speakers who discuss community causes with the Club.

Tonight’s speakers were from Eastern Volunteers, who discussed their vision for the future with the Rotary club.

Eastern Volunteers is a not-for-profit community organisation established in 1976. The organisation provides transport services for people with disabilities and the frail aged, as well as serving as a recruitment centre for volunteers. Eastern Volunteers is primarily based in Ringwood, with offices in Lilydale and Box Hill. The organisation provides its services within the Cities of Whitehorse, Maroondah and the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

The organisation has grown significantly since its establishment and now has approximately 15 staff members and over 100 volunteers who assist in the delivery of its services.

Eastern Volunteers has a vision of becoming a peak body representing the interests of volunteers and encouraging new people to volunteer and assist community organisations. This vision will strengthen our communities and make it easier for people to be able to volunteer.

This continued growth has meant that Eastern Volunteers requires an appropriate premises for its Head Office. Eastern Volunteers is currently based in New Street, Ringwood but needs a larger premises so that it can continue to deliver its services and meet the needs of the community.