The view was worthy of the cause last Tuesday as guests gathered at The Marion on Lake Burley Griffin to celebrate National Volunteer Week.
This year’s event to thank our volunteers was especially picturesque, thanks to the generous support of our host venue—and while the rain persisted, it did not dampen either the lovely scenery outside or the feeling of gratitude inside.
Anglicare volunteers, supporters and staff were welcomed by Board Chair Mark Brandon-Baker. “Coming here and being surrounded by good people who do good work for others is a bit of an antidote,” he said. “It is a real privilege to have you here.”
With over 480 volunteers, across more than 30 locations—including Emergency Food Relief hubs, retail op shops, disaster recovery teams and more—Anglicare is blessed every day to work alongside this compassionate group.
Anglicare CEO Trevor Ament described volunteers as the lifeblood of the organisation. “Your contributions ensure that we’re not just delivering services, but building connections—between people, between communities, and between hope and opportunity. In a world that can sometimes feel disconnected, your willingness to show up is a powerful reminder of what community truly means”
Guest speaker and Federal Member for Canberra, Alicia Payne, also recognised the considerable contribution of organisation’s volunteers, calling it “a powerful network of care, compassion and connection that reaches into the lives of thousands of people.”
She noted that this work takes place at a time when many people are facing real challenges, including cost-of-living pressures housing insecurity and homelessness and increasing social isolation.
“These are complex issues and Anglicare’s role to respond in practical and consistent ways, supporting people through difficult circumstances and helping them maintain a sense of stability is deeply important,” she said.
A former volunteer herself, Ms Payne shared that her experience volunteering at Newtown mission in Sydney as a student was formative in her decision to pursue meaningful work. She thanked Anglicare volunteers for choosing to make a difference in similar ways.
“We all have our own little small bit of power”, she said. “Whether it is our hands or our voice, every small act is powerful—and we can choose what we do with that. All of you are choosing to use that to give back to our community and it is having huge ripple effects. We couldn’t as a community get through without you.”
In closing, Mr Brandon-Baker returned to this theme, and again thanked those volunteers present and those unable to attend.
“When you support one person you often are supporting a whole family”, he said. “When you make one person feel seen or special, you strengthen their confidence to engage with others. When you give your time, you inspire others to do the same. The impact of your work extends far beyond what any of us can measure”
This National Volunteer Week, we say thank you to all of Anglicare’s volunteers, near and far. For those not in the Canberra area, our teams will be organising other events closer to home to celebrate your contributions this year.
If you are interested in becoming an Anglicare Volunteer call us at 02 6245 7100, email volunteers@anglicare.com.au or visit our Volunteers webpage.
