‘I Can Do That’ Volunteering Awareness Campaign Launched

The Victorian Government has launched ‘I Can Do That’ – a new campaign aimed at promoting awareness of volunteering within the wider Victorian community.

The campaign aims to let people know about the richness and breadth of volunteering, with the first phase of a new online ‘volunteering portal’ website and television advertisement.

According to the new website, the TV spot aims to create public awareness of volunteering and what is can do for you, as well as your community, and create a sense of relevance for those who are currently not engaged with volunteering.

The television advertisement shows people volunteering to teach school children, give surfing lessons, plant trees and help out in a boxing gym, highlighting the diversity of volunteering activities available in the community, and will feature on commercial television in the months to come.

The campaign is part of Victorian Government’s Volunteering Strategy 2009, which aims to support volunteers and volunteer organisations and strengthen community participation.

The new Victorian Volunteering Portal – currently in its first stage – is an online community and information resource for Victorian volunteers and volunteering organisations. The Portal aims to inform, support and inspire everyone involved in volunteering by providing:

• Information for volunteers – including help for new volunteers, an extensive list of online volunteer services, information on background checks, training and skills, etc.
• Information for volunteer organisations – best practice toolkit (currently being developed), key bodies and organisations, information on governments, funding and grants, and training and development.
• News, events and research on volunteering in Australia.
• Case studies and personal stories about volunteering.

The second stage of the website, due for launch in September, will include an online volunteer matching service, more interactive features and a greater range of tools for volunteers and volunteer organisations.

The campaign was launched at the Premier’s Community Volunteering Awards on Sunday May 9th.
The Awards promote and celebrate the range and diversity of volunteering activities in Victoria, including volunteering through community organisations as well as community participation in less formal setting

This year’s winners of the Premier’s Community Volunteering Awards are:

• Community Volunteering Leadership Award (Regional) – David Quayle from Healthy Minds Network, Swan Hill
• Community Volunteering Leadership Award (Metropolitan) – Edwina Dinkha from Australian Mesopotamian Women’s Association, Roxburgh Park
• Young People’s Community Participation Award (Regional) – Hiphopportunities for Youth, Golden Square
• Young People’s Community Participation Award (Metropolitan) – Minus 18, Melbourne
• Community Volunteering New Technology Award (Regional) – Joint winners: Benalla Visitor Centre, Benalla and Royal Exhange Hotel Cork Club, Traralgon
• Community Volunteering New Technology Award (Metropolitan) – Volunteer Xchange (Yarra Ranges Council), Lilydale
• Community Volunteering Achievement Award (Regional) – Willaura Community Development Group, Willaura
• Community Volunteering Achievement Award (Metropolitan) – Volunteering @ AMES, Melbourne

For more information on the campaign, or volunteering in Victoria in general, visit www.volunteer.vic.gov.au