Speeches
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters Volunteers Christmas Dinner
It is always delightful, and particularly at this time of the year, to celebrate the selfless work that volunteers do for our community.
I know you don’t seek recognition, but make no mistake, volunteers have a profound impact on the local community.
You make a difference. You are the cornerstone of community life. You make the Norwood, Payneham, and St Peters city a more vibrant place to live.
Some of you today will be receiving award for 5, 10,15, 20 or 25 years of voluntary service to the community.
I hope you will be proud of those milestones. They are not mere numbers. They are the markers of your commitment to building a caring community; one where people can feel they belong.
These markers also mean your efforts are noticed and are greatly appreciated - not only by those you help directly, but also more widely by those who chose to live in this area.
They do so because they appreciate the beautiful area in which you live and the community spirit which animates it.
Rod and I felt this spirit on Remembrance Day when we joined the community for the rededication of the St Peters Heroes Memorial.
As Rod and I travel the State, we are constantly reminded that the spirit of giving back through volunteering exists in all communities, age groups and social settings.
Here, your efforts help myriad causes such as library programs and Justice of the Peace Services; cultural and heritage programs; and the community and the environment at large.
Alongside the community benefits, through volunteering you also gain new skills, new experiences, and new friendships.
Whether you have given the gift of your time for a long time, or more recently, please know that the community thanks you most deeply.
Friends
I conclude with a question and an answer that is as relevant today as when it was purportedly first posed by Aristotle over 2,300 years ago: “What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”
Thank you for doing good.