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In celebration of National Volunteers Week, the National Australia Bank today launches its 2002 CommunityLink Volunteer Awards to recognise the outstanding contributions thousands of Australians make to their local communities. All volunteer groups are strongly encouraged to nominate.
"Australia's hundreds of thousands of volunteer groups deserve to be recognised for their dedication to improving the well-being of the Australian community as a whole," said Andrew Gaze, the National's Community Ambassador and Australian basketball legend.
Andrew, and Olympic legend Raelene Boyle are the Ambassadors for the National's CommunityLink program including the Volunteer Awards. Both represent dedication, excellence and leadership - all attributes that make the CommunityLink Volunteer Award winners stand out from the crowd.
"National Australia Bank is proud its CommunityLink Volunteer Awards program goes someway to recognising the efforts of these dedicated groups and individuals, and raises the profile of their achievements," said Raelene.
The National's CommunityLink Volunteer Awards are now in their sixth year and in 2002, a total of $375,000 will be shared between 42 state category winners and 60 highly commended nominees.
"World events in the past twelve months have encouraged people to look to their own backyards for community bonding and meaning," said Andrew Gaze "The National recognises this time as a unique opportunity to encourage more Australians to become involved in their communities and volunteer work."
Local or regional not-for-profit clubs and/or organisations that have undertaken specific programs or projects between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002 are encouraged to enter.
Entries should fit one of the following categories:
Art and Culture;
Community Service;
Emergency and Safety;
Environment, Conservation and Heritage;
Health, or;
Sport and Recreation.
"It's pleasing to note that volunteerism is growing in Australia," said Ian MacDonald, the National's Executive General Manager Financial Services Australia. "Almost four-and-a-half million adult Australians now contribute 704 million hours of voluntary work per year to the community. Volunteers in Australia should be recognised for the terrific contribution they make to the development of Australian society."
Last year's CommunityLink Volunteer Award winners included meteropolitan, regional and rural groups from all over Australia, from the Darwin Surf Lifesaving Club in the Northern Territory to Tasmania's Aurora Disability Services.
"The Volunteer Awards recognise excellence, not size," said Ian MacDonald. "We encourage groups from all locations, and of all sizes, to participate in our Volunteer Awards program."
The CommunityLink Volunteer Awards are judged independently of the National Australia Bank by a panel of recognised experts in each of the six categories. Volunteering Australia - the nation's peak body for the volunteer sector - has been the National's partner in the CommunityLink program since its inception in 1997.
"The National Australia Bank and Volunteering Australia hope the CommunityLink Volunteer Awards encourage existing volunteers to continue and expand their outstanding work, while encouraging even more Australians to be involved in the community," said Ms Sha Cordingley, CEO Volunteering Australia.
To obtain a nomination form or for more information:
- call 1800 807 121 Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm EST
- ask at any branch of the National or visit the 'Community' section of www.nab.com.au
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