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"Volunteers in Australia should be recognised for the terrific contribution they make to the development of Australian society," said Mr Mike Pratt, National Australia Bank's Chief Executive Officer, Australian Financial Services.
"2001 is the International Year of Volunteers and once again the National is proud to be announcing its CommunityLink Volunteer Awards," said Mr Pratt.
To mark the International Year of Volunteers, the National and the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services have made provision for a special Award in 2001, called The International Year of Volunteers Award.
Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Amanda Vanstone, said the new award category was a great way to recognise Australia's many volunteers.
"The Federal Government is please to acknowledge the unsung champions of Australian society - our many volunteers - through this joint award with the National," Senator Vanstone said.
"All areas of our society rely upon the volunteer spirit that is so much a part of everyday Australian life whether it be in rural and remote areas or busy city settings."
The Volunteer Awards are just one component of the National's CommunityLink program which is designed to provide support and encouragement for community organisations and their networks of volunteers across Australia.
The aim of the Volunteer Awards is to recognise outstanding examples of Australian innovation and dedication in the voluntary delivery of services to the community. This year, the Awards will be given in the following seven categories:
- International Year of Volunteers
- Art and Culture
- Community Service
- Emergency and Safety
- Environment, Conservation and Heritage
- Health
- Sport and Recreation
In 2001, a total of $375,000 in prize money will be allocated across 7 national winners, 42 state category winners and 60 highly commended nominees.
In past years, Award participants have come from all walks of life in Australia. These have ranged from a festival to celebrate the creativity of the disabled in South Australia (Arts in Action) to a Queensland project to reduce the physical and emotional isolation of children in hospital by interacting with visiting adult dogs (Mater Children's Hospital).
Since their inception four years ago, nominations for the CommunityLink Volunteer Awards have brought nearly 6500 local groups into the Awards' process.
"Alongside the obvious financial rewards, the CommunityLink Volunteer Awards play an important educational role. The submission process is a learning experience in its own right. We encourage all our Award winners to share their skills and experience with other local community organisations," said Mr Pratt.
"Reports from previous winners indicate that the Awards program has had a positive impact on the morale of their existing volunteers, generating an influx of new volunteers and increasing financial support.
"We gratefully acknowledge Volunteering Australia, which is our major Awards' partner, and all other organisations which support and promote our program," added Mr Pratt.
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How to nominate for a CommunityLink Volunteer Award
The Awards are open to any local or regional not-for-profit club or organisation that rely mostly on volunteers and who conduct a program or project in their community.
You can obtain an Awards' nomination form at any branch of the National, by ringing Freecall 1800 807 121, or by visiting the Community sectionon the National's website at www.nab.com.au.
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