Council welcomes back volunteers as Covid restrictions ease

Hawkesbury Council has been contacting existing volunteers in the ‘vulnerable’ category to let them know they may return to their role with Council upon provision of a letter from their GP. All volunteers are required to complete an induction session and COVID Safety training.

Council currently has over 250 volunteers across six service areas: Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Hawkesbury Library Service, Hawkesbury Regional Museum, Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter and the Hawkesbury Community Nursery.

The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Patrick Conolly said the return of volunteers was great news.

“Our volunteers do an amazing job for our community and we acknowledge and thank you for your voluntary work,” Mayor Conolly said.

“We are so lucky to have volunteers that show such enthusiasm and dedication to our programs and services. Volunteering and community spirit are what makes the Hawkesbury so special.”

Instead of a volunteer appreciation party in 2020, Council gave a surprise gift bag to volunteers as a token of Council’s appreciation.

Returning to volunteering

Current advice is that when deciding to volunteer or to return to volunteering all individuals should consider their own health needs first. As a precautionary measure individuals may want to seek advice from a medical practitioner about whether it is safe for them to volunteer. This is particularly important for individuals who are in the following categories:

• aged 70 years and over

• aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions

• anyone with a compromised immune system

• Indigenous Australians 50 years or older with one or more chronic medical conditions.

For any enquiries about volunteering opportunities at Council’s facilities, please contact Council’s Volunteer Coordinator Patricia Sundin on (02) 4560 4444 or attention email enquiries to council@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au