National Volunteer Week has been an important opportunity to celebrate and thank our incredible team of volunteers for the vital role they play at COTA Victoria. Staff and volunteers gathered for a celebratory afternoon tea to recognise the contributions of our volunteers across all areas of COTA Victoria, from policy, governance and organisational operations through […]
May 16 to 24 is National Volunteer Week, and the theme for this year is Better Together. Volunteering brings people together. It builds communities and creates a better society for everyone. This theme perfectly encapsulates the spirit of COTA Victoria. Here, volunteers and staff work seamlessly together across all areas of our work. Bringing together
Ruth Hosking, 89, a dedicated volunteer for more than 60 years, has been awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to Bendigo. Ruth is humbled yet delighted with the accolade, and is thrilled that so many people have reached out to her with congratulations. Ruth’s love of volunteering runs deep. She’s driven by
I began my radio career as a cadet at 2AY Albury. After a three-year break studying theology, I returned to radio as the Breakfast Announcer for 3NE Wangaratta before moving on to BCV Channel 8 in Bendigo. There I produced and presented a daily children’s program, read news bulletins and did live commercials and booth
Australia’s census was recorded on 10 August this year. While some questions are still missing from the census, one important question that has been included since 2006 collects data about how many people volunteer. In the twelve months leading to the 2016 census, almost four million people across the country volunteered. Volunteering activity changes throughout
Ballarat dementia advocate Anne Tudor was recently awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to people living with dementia and their supporters. Anne’s late wife, Edie Mayhew, was diagnosed with younger onset dementia in 2010 when she was 59. In an interview with ABC News, Anne said she was ‘profoundly moved’
Volunteers are the lifeblood of many organisations, especially in the not-for-profit sector. COTA Victoria couldn’t have survived 70 years – and indeed, would not have even started – if it weren’t for dedicated people volunteering their time and skills to advocate on behalf of older Victorians. Our volunteers work hard to help make Victoria a
John Doutch’s persistence kicks off a remarkable volunteer career John Doutch’s remarkable career as a volunteer had a rocky start. In 2003, just six months after retiring, he found himself asking (in his unique style): ‘S**t, what am I going to do today?!’ Fortunately, John spotted an advertisement for a COTA Victoria positive ageing course.
Recognise. Reconnect. Reimagine. That’s the theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week. To recognise some of our amazing volunteers, we asked them to share their experience of volunteering with COTA Victoria. Peter Clark, OM:NI volunteer I volunteer with COTA Victoria as a member of the OM:NI Advisory Committee and as the contact person for two
Volunteers are vital for the success of our programs and services across Victoria. In recognition of International Volunteer Day on December 5, we talked with three of our long-serving volunteers about their work with COTA Victoria. In 2015, Anita Smith came to COTA Victoria with an idea to address what she believed was a serious
We were saddened by the news that Bob Barron passed away in late September. Bob was a COTA Victoria volunteer for almost twenty years. He had a background in engineering geology and was a man of wide interests. In his retirement, he began helping COTA Victoria staff with computer training and updating the website. He went on to become
COVID-19 restrictions are having a huge impact on volunteering in Victoria. Many of those who usually volunteer regularly are now unable to do so, while others are volunteering for the first time to assist vulnerable community members during COVID-19 restrictions. If you’re currently volunteering, or waiting to return to your role, you need to understand
