National Volunteer Week kicks off today and runs until Sunday and there are a number of ways our volunteers are being celebrated, including Wear Orange Wednesday which pays tribute to our tireless NSW State Emergency Service (SES) workers.

Communities across NSW are being encouraged to wear orange on Wednesday 17 May to show our appreciation for our SES volunteers who are there to support us in our most vulnerable moments.

Whether fighting bushfires for the Rural Fire Service (RFS), saving lives on the water with Marine Rescue, assisting a search and rescue operation with the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) or patrolling our beaches for Surf Life Saving NSW, our volunteers do it all without asking for thanks or praise.

As well as celebrating the selfless work of our volunteers, National Volunteer Week is also a chance for those who can, to consider signing up with one of our emergency service organisations to help keep our communities safer and stronger.

Many of these organisations have seen a slow decline in the number of volunteers in recent years and the pandemic has seen numbers fall further. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to shine a light on the work our valuable volunteers do and encourage others to join them.

National Volunteer Week runs from Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:

“I pay tribute to the efforts of all our volunteers who give up their time and often spend time away from their loved ones, to serve their community and help keep us safe.

“In floods, fire, wild weather and natural disaster, it’s our emergency services we turn to when we need a helping hand and the volunteers who work for these groups are more than deserving of our respect and gratitude during this special week.

“Our emergency services are always open to more volunteers and I encourage people who have the capacity, to consider joining organisations such as the SES, RFS or VRA.”