From the Lord Mayor's Office
Being a do gooder is rewarding
As kids, no one wants to be called a goodie two shoes in the schoolyard.
But, as an adult, being a “do gooder” really helps to fill your bucket and contributes greatly to being part of a connected and engaged community.
At Council, we rely upon the kindness and passion of volunteers to support a wide range of programs and initiatives and activities across the city.
In fact, I think most people will be surprised by the diversity of volunteering options – for example, you can help support the Wollongong City Libraries Home Library Service, care for some of the general and historic cemeteries in Wollongong, lead tours in the Wollongong Art Gallery or get your hands dirty with environmental programs like Bushcare and Dunecare.
Over my time at Council, I’ve had many conversations with hardworking and dedicated volunteers to offer their time and expertise to contribute to making Wollongong an enviable place to live, work and play.
The one thing they consistently say is about how being a volunteer is so rewarding – they feel good about what they do, and the time they dedicate to it.
I understand this feeling as I’ve been a Justice of the Peace for 25 years and helping people to manage their affairs. I consider it a privilege to be able to assist people by certifying copies of original documents and acting as a witness to statutory declarations. It’s a role that I will continue to fulfil for years to come.
In December, Council had the opportunity to acknowledge the city’s volunteers who contribute to improving our local environment at the Environment Volunteer Awards, which recognised those who offered their time to programs like Rise & Shine, Bushcare, Dunecare and Fiready.
All of these programs could not operate without the support and dedication of the people like Jan Arrone who has been involved in Puckeys as a volunteer since 2019 working to reduce Bitou Bush, and Dilys Hoser who, as a member of Corrimal Rotary, undertakes numerous weekly clean ups across our reserves and public spaces throughout the Wollongong LGA.
With the start of the new year, now’s the time to think about introducing some volunteering into your life. If you’re keen to do something that makes you feel good, and gives back to community, Council’s website provides details on a range of ways to get involved
