As National Volunteer Week kicks off, Coliban Water is recognising and thanking the multitude of volunteers in our region who provide a significant contribution to our community and beyond.
Managing Director Damian Wells said he is proud to live and work in the Greater Bendigo region and appreciative of the tireless work that volunteers do.
“Within Coliban Water, many of our staff volunteer outside of their work duties – this includes everything from roles within the State Emergency Service (SES) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) to roles within local sporting clubs and charity baking initiatives.
“I’m immensely proud of the staff who take this time out of their personal and family schedules to help others in our community. The list of volunteers is long.”
Risk and Compliance Manager Darren Masters is a member of Bendigo SES and said his interest in emergency services stemmed from his work at Coliban Water.
“I studied an Advanced Diploma in Public Safety (Emergency Management) and was involved in the 2011 floods as an Emergency Management Liaison Officer for Coliban Water.
“I was amazed by what I saw from predominantly volunteers, which interested me to get more involved,” he said.
He joined the CFA a few years later with a technical rescue brigade that specialised in confined space rescue, vertical rescue and mine rescue. He has been a member of Bendigo SES since 2013.
“In my time volunteering I have attended hundreds of road accidents using the jaws of life, been to three train derailments, aircraft incidents and been deployed to the aftermath of large storm events.
“The most recent of which was hitching a ride on a Hercules with the Australian Airforce to travel to Geraldton in Western Australia. We were deployed to help community members after Cyclone Seroja,” Mr Masters said.
“I joined to help people in the community directly. It’s an amazing feeling to help someone in need. People are so thankful and can’t believe when there is no charge for the work we do.”
Mr Wells said Coliban Water provides emergency management leave for employees who engage in an eligible community service activity.
Account Solutions Coordinator Hannah Cook is another Coliban Water staff member who volunteers in the region – she’s a board member for Castlemaine radio station MAINfm.
“After moving to Castlemaine and living there for a year, I saw a post in our local Facebook group looking for a new committee member.
“I love community radio and have been involved in other capacities throughout my career, as a presenter or producer. I jumped at the chance and applied.
“It’s been very rewarding to help steer the station in a professional and accountable direction, that delivers solid value to the community through training, events and the airwaves. It’s a great way to connect with your community,” Ms Cook said.
National Volunteer Week runs until Sunday 23 May and celebrates the almost six million volunteers across Australia. It is estimated these volunteers dedicate over 600 million hours to help others.
To find out about becoming a volunteer, click the ‘get involved’ tab at volunteeringaustralia.org. You can also read more about local volunteers on the Coliban Water Facebook page.
Last updated on 17 May 2021