Gift of Time: Our volunteers are a humble lot that make the mayor proud

It’s pretty obvious none of them volunteer their time to get a pat on the back.

As they are called up to receive a gift bag from Mayor George Brticevic at the annual Gift of Time ceremony, Campbelltown’s finest are a model of humility.

With few exceptions, this morning they’re all nervous as the mayor greets them and then poses for photos with them.

At the same time it’s obvious meeting wonderful members of the Campbelltown community like them is one of the joys of the job for Cr Brticevic.

He looks comfortable in trying to make these humble volunteers relax during the presentations.

This year’s Gift of Time ceremony recognised no fewer than 50 local groups, made up of 1,900 volunteers who dedicated more than 220,000 hours of their time to the community this year.

Check all of them in the full list published below to be astonished by the selfless efforts of some of our fellow human beings.

Remember, too, that this is the age where we’re all so busy we don’t have time to scratch ourselves, let alone do volunteer work.

Dr Mike Freelander captured the essence of the incredible value of what volunteers do when he said in a message he sent that it was awesome how some people could find the time to devote to others.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“What you do, giving up your time for your community makes me proud to be mayor of Campbelltown,’’ Cr Brticevic said to them during his short speech in the civic hall in Queen Street.[/social_quote]

“This year, the Gift of Time ceremony recognised volunteers who gave their time in many different ways, from the Blue Ladies supporting hospital patients, to those advocating on behalf of war veterans and their families, and of course, Meals on Wheels and the dedicated members of local Lions and Rotary clubs,’’ he said..

“Volunteers also support council in maintaining our high standard of service to our community, through organisations including Bushcare groups, youth networks and the library’s family history service.

“Time truly is the most valuable gift any person can give to another, and on behalf of our community, I’d like to thank and acknowledge our volunteers.”

♦ SNAPSHOT – Campbelltown Gift of Time 2017 recipients:

Bradbury Public School – 6 Volunteers – 1200 hours;

Campbelltown & Districts Lapidary Club – 32 Volunteers – 4950 hours;

Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society  – 28 Volunteers – 5320 hours;

Campbelltown and Camden Hospital Volunteers Blue Ladies – 60 Volunteers – 11,116 hours;

Campbelltown City Council Bushcare – 250 volunteers – 2,800 hours;

Campbelltown District Family History Society – 19 volunteers – 660 hours;

Campbelltown Meals – 60 volunteers – 5888 hours;

Campbelltown Police – 6 Volunteers;

Campbelltown RSL Sub-Branch Welfare – 65 Volunteers – 15,821 hours;

Campbelltown Senior Citizens Club – 6 Volunteers – 312 hours;

Campbelltown Seniors Cyber Seekers Inc – 30 Volunteers – 50,666 hours;

Campbelltown Visitor Information – Quondong  – 1 Volunteers – 100 hours;

Campbelltown Youth Network – 10 Volunteers – 120 hours;

Eagle Vale Library Chess Club Tutors – 2 Volunteers – 210 hours;

English Conversation Group – 6 Volunteers – 664 hours;

Eschol Park Little Athletics – 17 Volunteers – 3000 hours;

Everyone Can Dance Charity – 18 Volunteers – 2,700 hours;

Friends of Campbelltown Arts Centre Inc – 14 Volunteers – 2,500;

Friends of the performing Arts (FPA) – 8 Volunteers – 625 hours;

Hume Region Scouts – 62 Volunteers – 186 hours;

Campbelltown Hospital Auxiliary – 48 volunteers – 33,600;

Ingleburn and District Pensioners Benefit Club – 12 Volunteers – 792 hours;

Ingleburn Horticultural Society and Garden Club – 25 Volunteers – 525 hours;

Ingleburn Stitchers – 40 Volunteers – 4000 hours;

Junction Works –  Numerous Volunteers – 80 hours;

Knit and Gigglers – 25 Volunteers – 2,500 hours;

Lifeline Macarthur – 420 Volunteers – 75,000 hours;

Lion’s Club Campbelltown – 18 Volunteers – 1400 hours;

Local Studies – Campbelltown City Library – 1 Volunteer – 155 hours;

Macarthur Accommodation System – 30 Volunteers – 500 hours;

Macarthur Branch NSW National  Association – 76 Volunteers – 1000 hours;

Macarthur Combined Churches Christmas Dinner Appeal – 80 Volunteers – 330 hours;

Macarthur Diversity Services Initiative – 7 Volunteers – 800+ hours per volunteer;

Macarthur Nils – 24 Volunteers – 1958 hours;

Macarthur Pastoral Care Service – 41 Volunteers – 3600 hours;

Mary Brooksbank School – 14 volunteers – many hours;

Meals On Wheels ( Home Library Service ) – 7 Volunteers – 406 hours;

Parkinsons NSW – 1 Volunteer – 100 hours;

Quota International of Campbelltown – 12 Volunteers – 1800 hours;

Rotary Club of Ingleburn – 17 Volunteers – 6200 hours;

Rotary club of Macarthur Sunrise – 24 Volunteers – 3851 hours;

Seniors and Disability Advisory Group – 6 Volunteers – 120 hours;

Seniors Issues Group – 16 Volunteers – 220 hours;

St Helens Park Public School P&C – 40 Volunteers – 500 hours;

Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Macarthur Sub Branch – 30 Volunteers – 6000 hours;

Wiritjiribin Dance Group – 22 Volunteers – 1056 hours;

Woodbine Neighbourhood Centre – 8 Volunteers – 420 hours;

Youth Entertainment Reference Group – 16 Volunteers – 120 hours;

Zonta Club of Macarthur Inc – 60 Volunteers – 1872 hours.