NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (15:06): Can the Minister for Volunteers inform the house about activities held as part of National Volunteer Week?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:07): Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform the house that on Monday I attended the South Australian launch of National Volunteer Week. This year's theme is 'Thanks a Million' and highlights the individual and collective effort of the approximate 713 million hours given by Australian volunteers every year.

Volunteers make an enormous contribution to South Australia in many ways. It is estimated that up to 45 per cent of South Australians volunteer formally with a local community organisation or group, providing an estimated 1.6 million volunteer hours per week. A further 51 per cent volunteer informally, by doing things like helping a neighbour down the street with their shopping, etc.

While all of these total figures are very impressive, we must not lose sight that the dedication and contribution of individual volunteers is what is paramount and important. Volunteering remains a very personal commitment. Whether it is delivering meals, helping others in an emergency, patrolling our beaches, running our sporting clubs or supporting the needs of others, volunteers make a real difference to the lives and to the community in which they live.

Volunteering also makes a very important contribution to the social fabric of our society. While it is easy to calculate its economic benefit—and I think the last figure I heard was at $5 billion annually—its social benefit, I believe, is more important. Volunteers help to connect people and build community. Communities with a strong volunteer ethos are healthy and resilient communities, and they continue to prosper.

In my previous role as mayor of Gawler, I was able to see firsthand the wonderful work of volunteers in my own local community. For example, volunteers dedicate many hours to service clubs, Meals on Wheels, looking after our natural and built environment, Girl Guides, Scouts, weekend sports, our schools and churches and supporting the young, the old and those in need, just to name a few.

To assist our community organisations and clubs in acknowledging the contribution of their volunteers, the government has offered a new recognition certificate program for this year's National Volunteer Week. More than 5,000 signed certificates have so far been distributed, and a further 283 volunteers will receive the Premier's Certificate for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement. I hope that all South Australians will join me and others to thank the volunteers and acknowledge their contribution in not only this week, but in the future as well.