Waminda and Benalla Health celebrate volunteers at inaugural luncheon

Waminda Community House manager Leeane Bullard said the event, planned to be held annually, was to thank not only their own volunteers but also the volunteers from partnering organisations.

“Many of our volunteers also volunteer for these partners,” Ms Bullard said.

“As organisations, our community activities and projects often overlap.

“Benalla and communities in our local government area have a strong history of volunteering.

“Jointly thanking our community volunteers makes sense.”

In addition to Waminda Community House and Benalla Health, organisations and groups attending the three-course luncheon included Upper Murray Family Care, Vinnies Shop Benalla, Room At The Table, Benalla Lions Club, Benalla Flexible Learning Centre, Benalla Aboriginal Caucus and the Benalla Rural City Council Age Friendly Benalla Reference Group.

This event was only possible because of the generosity of time and skills given from the Waminda Community House volunteers and Flexible Learning teachers and students.

Benalla Health volunteer co-ordinator Catherine Fuller said that with this year’s National Volunteer Week theme being ‘Your Year To Volunteer’, it was fitting to try a new way for the community to thank its volunteers.

“As organisations, whenever possible we work together to get better community outcomes,” she said.

“This community event was a way to let our partnering volunteers know they are valued by us and by their community.”

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.

It highlights the important role that volunteers play in local communities.

This year it was celebrated from May 18 to 24.

The 2026 theme aimed to honour the contributions of volunteers and encourage more people to get involved in their community.

Ms Fuller said there were many organisations that had volunteers supporting them, as well as community groups run by volunteers.

“Reach out and get involved,” she said.