Posted 25 May 2009

The week 11-17 May 2009 was a busy week for neighbourhood centres in the Blue Mountains, as it was both National Volunteer Week and Neighbourhood Centre Week 2009.

Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre (LMNC) chose to mark National Volunteer Week with a special celebration and morning tea for its volunteers on Thursday 14 May.

The theme of National Volunteer Week was ‘Volunteers:  Everyday people, extraordinary contribution’, and this theme is exactly how LMNC feels about its volunteers, Centre Manager Peta Williams said.  ‘The week’s focus on volunteers is a great opportunity to say once more, ‘thank you’. It is a way of honouring the expertise and the unique and special skills that the wonderful people who volunteer for us bring to their work. ’  

Guest speaker at LMNC’s celebration was the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Janet Mays, who said that:  

'As I stand here today, I am reminded of a quote from the novelist Erma Bombeck who said:

Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect a nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another. 

'For me, this quote sums up volunteers.  You are community builders who create a better world and we are indebted to you.  You demonstrate a level of compassion and caring that is easy to lose in a modern society.

'You are an intrinsic part of this neighbourhood centre and our community.  You give comfort and support, you break the silence and loneliness for so many, you bring joy, you bring a smile, you bring hope and remind us what it is to be human.

'Today, we say – thank you.’

The previous day LMNC held a community forum to celebrate Neighbourhood Centre Week, and to invite feedback, thoughts and ideas from people in the lower mountains community.  The forum opened with a beautiful performance by the choir of Mount Riverview Public School under the direction of Jane Howat, followed by addresses from a four -member panel – students Wesley Stormer (year 10) and Rachael Carter (year 12) from Blaxland High, and residents Tony Kleu and Helen Kidd.   Discussion then opened to the audience for their views on what could benefit our community.  LMNC is currently collating the information received.  If you want to provide any feedback to LMNC, ring 4739 6411 or email admin@lmnc.org.au