AT THE heart of the Wimmera are dedicated volunteers who help keep the region thriving. 

Centre for Participation chief executive Julie Pettett said the participation of volunteers in the region was significantly higher than the national average. 

She said willingness of the volunteers came down to a greater awareness of the benefits of helping others.

“When people choose to live in regional areas they tend to have a greater awareness of working together to build the life they want,” she said. “And if they don’t do anything in a volunteering capacity then the life they want wouldn’t happen – there is no alternative.” 

The Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Services are just some of the larger community organisation that assist the community. However, Ms Pettett said smaller community organisations are just as important in providing opportunities and experiences. 

The St Arnaud cinema has offered a valuable service for the last 20 years and is powered by volunteers.

“It is highly unlikely for a commercial cinema to run in St Arnaud. If people stopped volunteering that would mean people of all ages wouldn’t be able to congregate together and enjoy a film,” she said. “The only option is to sit at home and watch it – that’s not healthy. We are social beings and need that connection.” 

Ms Pettett said people do not choose to move or stay in the Wimmera for the roads and infrastructure. She said social opportunities were equally important. 

“We hear a lot about bad roads and the money that needs to be invested – and I’m not undervaluing the importance of roads to our residents. However, lets not forget what would happen if we didn’t have community organisations,” she said. 

“For families, if their children couldn’t play sport because there was no sporting groups because they had no volunteers, and if we had no Girl Guides or Scouts, or nobody volunteering for the CFA or SES, in the end would roads seem so important?”

Ms Pettett said the drive to build a community they want to call home was at the heart of a volunteer. However, she said behind every volunteer was a community organisation – volunteers cannot work in isolation. 

“Over 95 per cent of community organisations in this region are run and governed by volunteers,” she said. 

“If volunteers weren’t on these committee of management then they would not exist.

“But, we need to provide support and recognition for those in the front and those working behind the scenes.

“Volunteers want to give a service, but want to know everything around them is organised and safe. 

“It’s that structure around volunteering that’s important and it makes volunteering the cornerstone of everything we do.”