Wednesday, 21 February 2018
 

• McGowan Government fulfils another election commitment, setting up a dedicated community reference group to take the volunteering sector forward
• Volunteering industry experts to advise on issues and ways to advance volunteering 

The McGowan Government has fulfilled its election commitment to establish a Volunteering Community Reference Group, which will advise Volunteering Minister Mick Murray on issues in the sector.


All positions on the reference group have now been finalised and the group is getting to work on improving the sector for volunteers, and community members and organisations that rely on their contributions.


The State Government, the corporate sector, research institutions, community services and volunteering, and individual volunteers all hold positions in the reference group.


The Volunteering Community Reference Group members are:

• Hon Mick Murray MLA, Minister for Volunteering
• Craig Spencer, Chairperson of Volunteering WA Board
• Tina Williams, CEO, Volunteering WA
• Scott Hollingworth, Department of Communities
• Dr Patrick Dunlop, Psychology Senior Lecturer at The University of WA
• David Hansell, Consulting Director, Deloitte
• Dr Megan Paull, Director, Researcher and Senior Lecturer at Murdoch University
• Esme Bowen, volunteer for road safety, disability and sporting sectors
• Mohammad (Rambo) Ramidianee, volunteer with Make-a-Wish
• Dan Minchin, Chief Executive Officer, Chorus
• Maija Ala-Kauhaluoma, Australian Red Cross Humanitarian Settlement Program - Volunteer Engagement Lead
• Don Bartlem, Clubs WA Metropolitan Committee Member  

More information about the group is available at http://www.volunteeringwa.org.au/vcrg


Comments attributed to Volunteering Minister Mick Murray:


"The Volunteering Community Reference Group is set to make a great contribution to WA's volunteering sector.


"The McGowan Government made this election commitment in response to our volunteering stakeholders calling for it. This is such an important step to move the sector in the right direction.


"Nobody knows volunteering better than the people on the ground and those who have been involved closely in the industry over the years.


"Members bring together a diverse range of skills and experience, from people working directly as volunteers to organisational leaders and university researchers in the field.


"I'm very much looking forward to learning what the group see as the issues and how they believe the State Government can support the volunteering sector to thrive in Western Australia."


Minister's office - 6552 6400

​Former X Factor contestant Veronica Bravo is headlining a special event for young women in the Warren Blackwood Region in March. the ‘Young Women Empowered’ expo will be held on the 10 March 2018 at the Manjimup Indoor Stadium on the corner Rutherford and Arnott Streets from 2pm until 7:30pm. During this free event for young ladies they will hear inspiring speakers, view a fashion parade and participate in various activities, including makeup tutorials, yoga classes, macrame and crystal jewellery workshops, kokedama workshops, henna art and laser tag. Additionally, Veronica Bravo will be performing a number of songs from her soon to be released album. The expo is open to all young women aged 12 and over.
Hosted by the Shire of Manjimup Youth Network, the expo is an idea that was initiated in response to local teachers, businesses and counsellors concerns to the levels of self-harm being seen amongst young women in the region. The aim of the expo is to demonstrate positive coping mechanisms young women can use to help them through what can be a difficult stage of life, listen speakers on self-esteem and self-worth, and the importance of maintaining good mental health, all in a vibrant and activity filled environment.
The expo is an entirely free event with food and drinks provided. Participants will be able to take home items that they create on the day and the first 150 attendees will be provided with a gift bag. Free bus transport from Pemberton, Northcliffe, Walpole and Bridgetown is also available. Bookings to use the bus service are essential and can be made by calling the Shire of Manjimup on 9771 7777. Additionally, a bus will be operating throughout the Manjimup area with pick ups scheduled from the Manjimup Country Club, Anunuka Park, East Manjimup Primary School and the Kingsley Motel.
Manjimup Shire President Paul Omodei said “This is a wonderful opportunity for the young women of our region. The event will provide them with first hand accounts of the issues that many young women face in their lives and strategies for coping and thriving.”
For more information, please contact the Shire of Manjimup on 9771 7777.