5 December 2013
Australian volunteers celebrate International Volunteer Day
Australian volunteers and their Solomon Islands hosts gathered at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence to celebrate International Volunteer Day today.
There are around 40 Australian volunteers currently working in Solomon Islands under the Australian Volunteers for International Development program.
In the true spirit of volunteering, volunteers and their counterparts donated blood to the Solomon Islands Red Cross.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Matt Anderson acknowledged the contribution of Australian volunteers in Solomon Islands. He was joined by the Minister for Planning, Development & Aid Coordination, Connelly Sandakabatu.
“Australian volunteers use their skills and experience to help government, non-government organisations, schools and community groups. And through their participation in work, sport and community, they also foster links and friendship between Solomon Islands and Australia,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Anderson also paid tribute to the volunteers’ host organisations.
“For every volunteer, there is a Ministry, NGO, sporting group or charitable organisation that supports and nurtures our volunteers. These wonderful organisations enrich our volunteers’ experience in Solomon Islands, and I’m sure the volunteers also want their host’s contribution on International Volunteer Day to be acknowledged.”
Mr Anderson said that every volunteer in Solomon Islands has a story to tell.
“Whether it is working with provincial governments to run special programs for women and youth, teaching at a provincial school, training in hospitals, helping people with a disability, building media skills, staging Aussie Rules Football clinics in schools and communities, working with ministries, NGOs or community groups to draft policy or provide advice. They are leaving a mark and enriching the communities they are helping.”