The joys of volunteering

IN MORE than a decade as a councillor and as a former chef, I’ve faced the odd grilling.

So it was nice to do the grilling myself a couple of weekends ago, barbequing snags alongside fellow Highton Rotarians at Gateways Geelong’s Easter Family Fun Festival.

The sun was shining, and about 1,700 people attended this free family event in North Geelong, celebrating people with disabilities and promoting a more inclusive community.

Who wouldn’t enjoy cooking a few hundred sausages on such a fantastic day?

And it all goes toward a great cause – supporting learner drivers, preventing domestic violence and other local Rotary projects, along with global efforts like Rotary’s mission to end polio.

Our club also runs tours of the historic Fyansford Paper Mill – built in 1878 – and supports tree-planting days to expand habitat for our beloved koalas with Koala Clancy Foundation, which I’ve had privilege of joining.

Volunteering is such a rewarding thing to do, and I’ve met lots of dedicated, community-minded people and lifelong friends over the years at the Rotary Club of Highton.

But – of course – you don’t have to be a councillor or Rotarian to get involved in your community and make a difference by volunteering.

Across Geelong, thousands of people volunteer their time to help others, from providing food and support to those in need, to maintaining landmarks across our city and supporting sporting clubs and community organisations.

With National Volunteer Week coming up next month (19- 25 May), I encourage anyone who’s thought of volunteering to give it a go.

The City of Greater Geelong has plenty of options for those keen to make a difference at geelongaustralia.com.au/volunteer.

Or you may want to support one of the many other fantastic organisations doing great work around our community.

Whatever the case I’m sure, like me, you’ll get just as much out of it as those you’re volunteering for.

If volunteering’s not your thing, you can make a difference in other very important ways such as organ donation – a cause that’s very close to my heart.

My cousin Ross is a living example of how important organ donation is.

Ross got a second chance at life thanks to a heart transplant.

He doesn’t know the person who signed up to the organ donor register or the family that consented to them donating their organs.

All he knows is that, without them, he wouldn’t be here today. In his words, they’re “absolute heroes”.

Even if a person is registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register, their family’s consent is usually required after their passing.

So, as we head into Easter and enjoy some time with our families and loved ones, I encourage you all to think about registering.

And just as importantly, if you do, speak to your family about that decision and make your wishes clear.

Registering is easy and only takes one minute, and by donating your organs you could save up to eight lives and help dozens more.

This year DonateLife Week will be held from 27 July to 3 August. This is a national awareness week aimed at encouraging more Australians to register as organ and tissue donors.

For more information on organ donation, visit: donatelife.gov.au

Have a happy and safe Easter.

Cr Ron Nelson

Deputy mayor,

City of Greater Geelong