Waroona’s extensive volunteer community came together last weekend, to celebrate International Volunteer day

Waroona’s extensive volunteer community gathered at the weekend to celebrate International Volunteer Day. The Shire of Waroona put on two breakfast celebrations on Saturday to say thank you to all volunteers within the area. With the first breakfast taking place at the Waroona Town Hall and the second at the Preston Beach Community Centre, more than 100 volunteers from various industries broke bread to celebrate the international event. Speaking to the volunteers, shire president Mike Walmsley said if it wasn’t for the work done by those community members, local government’s wouldn’t be able to function. “It’s incredibly important to us, and this breakfast is one small way of showing our appreciation for all the great work that you all do throughout the year,” he said. “Volunteering is very strong in our community, which is a sign of a good healthy community.” Cr Walmsley said volunteering seemed to be becoming a “lost art”, with fewer young people getting involved in groups in recent years and overall volunteer numbers slowly declining. “Those that pick up the slack in the interim and come on board, thank you so much,” he said. “This is an appreciation of all that they give through the year and the tireless things they do. “The fact that when some of the groups that struggle for numbers, the rest of them pick them up, and they keep it rolling, (is amazing).”