Councillors praise volunteer efforts

By Murray Silby

Apr 22, 2024

**Vital role:** A flooded Bunbartha Recreation Reserve, which is managed by a volunteer committee, is covered by flood water after the 2022 floods. The floods have been listed as one reason some committees have lost volunteers. Photo by Murray Silby

The importance of community volunteers has been highlighted by Greater Shepparton City councillors during an agenda item discussion at their regular meeting.

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Councillors were discussing the financial statements of council's 17 community asset committees during their meeting on March 26.

The committees have been delegated to manage specific council-owned community facilities and recreation reserves.

“I like to highlight these because of just how important it is for our smaller communities," Cr Ben Ladson said.

“There are committees that are volunteer-run, banding together, advocating for projects outside of the Shepparton CBD. It just shows a smidgeon of what’s going on in some of the local communities."

Cr Anthony Brophy said the contributions of the volunteers behind the committees were invaluable.

“This is where the rubber hits the road in terms of council addressing community issues for council-owned assets but community-administered and community-used, " he said.

Cr Fern Summer issued a personal thank you to all the volunteers on the 17 committees in question.

“I’d just like to thank the volunteers," she said.

"They do tireless work and they’re not being paid. If we had to pay for the value these committees provide, it would cost ratepayers quite a lot and possibly end up with lower quality results."

The council agenda for the March meeting suggested some Community Asset Committees had suffered declines in membership in recent years.

"These volunteers have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and flooding," the report said.

"The Community Wellbeing aims to ensure that the CAC are supported to meet their requirements and are assisted with promotion and recruitment to attract new members."

Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Shane Sali encouraged people to take up volunteering opportunities, whether that be on a council committee or some other organisation.

“We really encourage people, if you're interested in wanting to get some really good outcomes for your community where you live, or perhaps the sports connection that you have with certain organisations, then please, we encourage you to get involved,” he said.

“We really encourage people to put their hand up and get involved in your local community groups.”

The 17 community asset committees are: