Tim Costello and Jeff Kennett issue final call for Volunteer Awards entries - 24 June 2005

Friday, 24 June 2005

World Vision CEO Tim Costello and Beyond Blue Chairman Jeff Kennett have made a last-minute call to not-for-profit groups to nominate for the 2005 National Australia Bank Volunteer Awards which close on 1 July.

Tim Costello and Jeff Kennett are two of 21 respected community leaders that have been chosen to judge this year’s Volunteer Awards and select the national winner for each of the seven categories. National and state winners will share in $364,000 contributed by the National Australia Bank.

Now in their eighth year, the Volunteer Awards are conducted in association with Volunteering Australia, the national peak body working to advance volunteering in our communities.

Mr Costello said that volunteers sacrificed their time and effort to help others in so many different ways.

“We rely on these volunteers to preserve our social and natural environment and they deserve our thanks and recognition.
 
“I urge all deserving community groups to nominate themselves for the 2005 National Australia Bank Volunteer Awards and take this opportunity to acknowledge their volunteers,” Mr Costello said.

Mr Kennett said that he has seen first-hand the true value that volunteers provide to local communities throughout Victoria.

“More than ever in Victoria, volunteers sacrifice their time for the benefit of their community,” he said.

“I am immensely proud of our volunteers for their unwavering dedication to others, while usually receiving little or no recognition for their efforts. The National Australia Bank Volunteer Awards provide us all with an opportunity to say thank you.”

Mr Costello and Mr Kennett will be joined by the heads of many leading Australian community groups in judging the Volunteer Awards, including Volunteering Australia CEO Sha Cordingley.

To be eligible for an award, a group must be able to demonstrate best practice volunteering, be a not-for-profit organisation, have operated within the Australian community during the past 12 months, and provide a reference letter from a community leader.

To nominate a community group or find out more about the Awards and eligibility criteria visit any National Australia Bank branch, call the National Australia Bank Volunteer Awards Helpdesk on 1800 807 121 or visit www.nab.com.au/community

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