Neal shares his love of Mallacoota
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East Gippsland Shire Council is recognising and celebrating volunteers during National Volunteer Week, May 20-26.
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2019 is “Making a world of difference” and Council’s volunteers certainly live up to that sentiment, supporting programs in the libraries, youth services, visitor information centres and more.
Mayor Cr Natalie O’Connell said about 60 volunteers worked across the visitor information centres in Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Bruthen, Orbost, Cann River and Mallacoota and are an integral part of this service.
“This volunteering role involves working year-round, including weekends and public holidays, and council does recognise and acknowledge our dedicated volunteers with a luncheon during volunteer week,” Cr O’Connell said.
“East Gippsland has a similar rate of volunteerism compared to the regional Victorian average, with almost 25 per cent of people aged over 15 years performing voluntary work. We have an active community of retirees. There are many opportunities for active ageing through volunteering, but also via community courses, fine art and discussion groups, choirs, theatre groups and men’s and women’s sheds.”
Neal Greig has been volunteering with the visitor information centre at Mallacoota for 16 years. He was previously a teacher from Glen Waverley and retired to Mallacoota 19 years ago.
Neal produces a booklet about the enjoyable activities around Mallacoota.
“Residents and visitors love to fish and surf in the area, and our walks through the magnificent wilderness of the Croajingolong National Park are also very popular,” Neal said.
“Bird watchers come to visit Croajingolong National Park, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. This very special place has a diverse range of animal, plant and birdlife.”
It has been shown people who attend a visitor information centre spend more money and time in a region.
PICTURED ABOVE: Neal Greig (right) has been volunteering with the visitor information centre at Mallacoota for 16 years, pictured with Cr Richard Ellis.