Like many community based organisations Maroondah City Council is fortunate to have volunteers who assist in the delivery of services or provide assistance in the form of social support, environmental care and committees of management.

This evening Maroondah City Council acknowledged the service of its volunteers who dedicate their time to the community. The reception also provides an opportunity to thank volunteers who have achieved milestones in their contributions, including several who have been volunteering through Council for 35 years.

The strength of a community can be measured by the number of volunteers and I would to thank everyone that has dedicated their time to volunteering within the municipality. The speech provided during the reception is available within this post:

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the 2010 official Thank You Reception for Volunteers for the Maroondah City Council. This function is to publicly thank and acknowledge all of our wonderful volunteers.

I would like to begin with the Acknowledge of Country, whereby Maroondah City Council, in the spirit of reconciliation, acknowledges that we are meeting on the land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries.

I would also like to welcome and introduce my fellow Councillors who are here tonight joining me in thanking you for your contribution:

• Cr Tony Dib
• Cr Ann Fraser
• Cr Nora Lamont
• Cr Paul Macdonald
• Cr Rob Steane
• Cr Natalie Thomas
• Cr Les Willmott

Our volunteers are simply amazing! They help to deliver the services provided by Council, and in turn, support the community of Maroondah. As volunteers you make a wonderful contribution and I am honoured to be making the official thank you to each and every one of you on behalf of Council and the community.

Over 500 volunteers were invited to be here this evening and more than half are involved with the delivery of our Meals on Wheels. Without them, this essential service of Council simply could not operate. It is not just the meals but also the warmth of human contact and kindness that is immeasurable.

Volunteers also give fantastic support to Council services such as:

• the Kerrabee Club for the frail aged.
• Library and shopping trips to assist Aged and Disability Services
• Maroondah Bushlinks and the Friends groups of reserves and parks
• The Maroondah Art Gallery
• and Special Committees which manage some Council reserves and facilities

We would like you to know that your contribution is always valued, and that the community of Maroondah thanks you. Tonight, we will be making presentations to Volunteers who have achieved service milestones during 2010.

The dedication and compassion for our community that you have shown by your incredible contribution to others is truly amazing. Few people achieve those lengths of service in paid work, and to do so in a voluntary context is truly commendable.

I would now like to invite Frank Dixon, Maroondah’s Chief Executive Officer, to read out the names of the recipients so that I can present each volunteer with a framed letter of recognition for their years of service.