Award thanks for helpers

CASEY volunteers were honoured for their significant contributions to their communities at recent ceremony in Narre Warren.
City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes congratulated the 22 council Community Care award recipients on providing a range of volunteer services of the past five, 10, 15, 20 and 30 years.
About 210 Community Care volunteers assist the council to deliver a range of services including transport, social support and Meals on Wheels.
In the last financial year, Community Care volunteers provided more than 3700 hours of service on social support programs, travelled more than 10,700 kilometres to help clients attend social outings and events, and spent almost 3400 hours providing volunteer transport to help clients attend health appointments.
Volunteers also delivered more than 29,000 meals for Casey Councils Meals on Wheels program.
Cr Balmes said volunteering was vital to the development of all communities.
“It not only improves the lives of others but also benefits the volunteers themselves, providing opportunities to meet new people, develop new skills and create community connectedness,” she said.
“We know that communities who have strong volunteer support are healthier, happier and more resilient, and I am proud to celebrate the people who contribute every day to the sustainability of our community.”
Volunteers who received long service awards included Cranbourne Meals on Wheels volunteer Faye Butcher for 30 years of service, Narre Warren Meals on Wheels volunteer Anne McGill for 20 years of service and transport volunteer Margaret Rossell for 10 years of service.
Special acknowledgment was also made to the family of Mary Kelly.
She died before receiving her volunteer’s award for providing 30 years of service to the Cranbourne Meals on Wheels program.
Mrs Kelly’s son Daniel Kelly and daughter Megan Clark accepted Mrs Kelly’s award on behalf of their family.
For more information about volunteering in the City of Casey contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200 or visit the council’s website at www.casey.vig.gov.au/volunteers