National Volunteer Week

Mr DULUK (Waite) (15:32): I rise today to recognise the important work of the many volunteers in the electorate of Waite and acknowledge the celebration of their efforts during National Volunteer Week, which was celebrated last month. Volunteering Australia defines volunteering as 'the time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain'.

Mainly undertaken by individuals, volunteering can cover a wide range of activities, from formal volunteering set up by organisations to a more informal nature that takes place outside those organisations. We are indeed an extremely lucky country with our small communities. There are thousands of Australians, men, woman and kids who volunteer every single day and donate their time for the common good. I would like to extend my gratitude to all of them.

According to Volunteering SA&NT, there are just under one million volunteers in South Australia. Their contribution is valued at around $5 billion each year, a staggering figure that really puts into perspective the significance of volunteering to our economy and to our communities. Reports within the last decade have estimated the total value of volunteering to be well over $200 billion annually across Australia, which shows that our society would struggle to function without volunteers.

Volunteering is one of the most meaningful pursuits anyone can undertake. It is a way to give back to your community—to our community. It provides much-needed assistance to the local community and to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Volunteering can help individuals feel that they belong and are part of a community. It improves a person's mental health and wellbeing, combats stress and loneliness and helps boost confidence. It widens each of our worlds.

Volunteering connects people to others they may never have met if it were not for their volunteering efforts. It can provide a sense of achievement, it can provide a sense of purpose and it does help inspire others. While many of us are time poor these days, the benefits from the individual to the community as a whole are enhanced when we volunteer. Sir, in my electorate, as in your electorate and all our electorates across our state, we are fortunate to have volunteers.

The volunteers in Waite offer their time to support local organisations across all areas. My electorate is blessed with many beautiful bushlands, parks, reserves and historical and heritage sites, and we have the Belair National Park, Wittunga Botanic Garden, Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, Shepherds Hill Recreation Park, Colebrook Reconciliation Park, Blackwood Forest Reserve, Watiparinga Reserve, Warriparinga Reserve and, of course, Karinya Reserve.

Each of these places has volunteers who prune, weed and clean up the green spaces. They plant native plants, help eradicate feral pests and volunteer as guides, administration staff and fundraisers. We also have historical societies and heritage groups, such as the Mitcham Historical Society, Friends of Carrick Hill, Friends of Urrbrae House, Friends of Waite Arboretum—again, all relying on volunteers to promote the history of our community and surrounding areas, preserving heritage and indeed fighting for heritage as well, as we are seeing changes to the planning code, and to conserve our environment for the coming generations.

Our emergency service volunteers, CFS and SES who have worked so hard this last year also form a huge part of our volunteer movement, along with volunteers from sporting clubs, schools, Scouts, religious groups, aged-care facilities, art groups, libraries, justice of the peace services and service clubs, such as RSLs, Lions, Rotary and Probus. It is great to see, as we are moving out of COVID-19, that these volunteer organisations are getting back up and running and making a contribution back to the community.

To name every volunteer and every volunteer group in Waite is not possible, so instead I would like to mention a few examples of our Waite volunteers who have recently been recognised for their contributions. Ms Doone Winnall offers her time to Rugs with Love, a group of knitters and sewers who create rugs for children in foster care, providing them with meaningful items made with love and care. Then we have the Friends of Old Government House, who dedicate their time to preserving the house that resides within Belair National Park. They recently were awarded a digital donation grant to help them continue the good work in conservation and preservation. I commend all volunteers in my electorate.