Next Monday marks the start of National Volunteer Week, an annual time to celebrate the people among us who give their time to help others. 

Census data from 2011 tells us there are quite a few – in 2010 6.1 million Australians aged 18 and over engaged in formal volunteering. That’s just over 19 per cent of the population, a rate of which we should be very proud. 

When you widen that definition out to include people caring for others with disabilities, illness or difficulties associated with old age, you discover 20 per cent of the adult population is helping out. And almost half the population provided informal assistance to people outside their homes.

The picture we draw from this is that we are a nation which is happy to help, formally or informally. That ought to be celebrated.

Here in the Shoalhaven, we have a very strong volunteering ethic. From those who put themselves in harm’s way with the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service to the people who the individuals who help stage signature community events, we have much to be proud of.

This year, we want to give a shout-out to the tireless committees that make great things happen year in, year out.  

Organising big community events is a mammoth task. The Shoalhaven River Festival in Nowra and the Blessing of the Fleet Festival in Ulladulla are a little like painting the Harbour Bridge – before you’ve reached the end you’re starting at the beginning again. 

Each year the task gets a little more complex as circumstances change. This year in Ulladulla, for instance, the security environment changed after the vehicle-borne terror attacks in Europe. Despite these inevitable headaches and curve balls, the organisers just keep going.

We’d like to particularly thank Rotary for the role it plays in organising the Blessing of the Fleet parade. Many of its volunteers have their own professions and businesses to attend to yet find time for such a huge undertaking. 

In a world where demands on time seem never-ending, its work is remarkable.