Latest News

Celebrating National Volunteers Week 2020

V for Volunteering

The Centre for Participation say a big thank you to volunteers across Western Victoria for being the ‘heartbeat’ of our communities.

National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. At this uncertain time we feel that it is more important than ever to recognise and acknowledge Australia’s volunteers.

National Volunteer Week begins Monday May 18 and runs until Sunday 24 May. This years theme is ‘Changing Communities. Changing Lives’. ‘It’s a time when we tip our collective hats and say thank you for the tireless, wonderful work of volunteers in our communities,’ said Julie Pettet, CEO at the Centre for Participation.

As a mark of thanks, the Centre for Participation and the Volunteer Coordinators Network have published a series of postcards. WRSA Female Administrators Network, Edenhope Memorial Hospital, Horsham Rural City Council, Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN, Rural Northwest Health, West Wimmera Shire Council, Emma Kealy’s Office and Grampians Community Health have joined us to send postcards to volunteers across our communities.

Join the celebration on Zoom…
We invite volunteers from across the Wimmera to come together at 10am on Friday 22 May for an online morning tea to celebrate volunteers.

If you would like to join in, call 5382 5607 or email info@centreforparticipation to get a Zoom link and password.

Want to volunteer?

If you want to volunteer but don’t know where to start, Julie Pettett, CEO of the Centre for Participation in Horsham has a few ideas to help you on your way.

> Follow your passion – you’ll be happier and more effective volunteering in something you love
> Know what you want out of it – to meet people? change the world? care for animals? share skills? get a job?
> Contact Centre for Participation or a community group near you, to match your skills and needs, with volunteering vacancies

Happy Volunteering!

Lives have changed with Covid-19 and now more than ever people look out for each other and want to put their hands up to volunteer. What a great caring society we live in!

We have developed an online Introduction to Volunteering session at Centre for Participation, which looks at volunteering and volunteerism, rights and responsibilities for volunteers and how to get started.

At Centre for Participation we recruit on behalf of volunteer organisations and our own volunteering programs. At the moment we are promoting the following volunteering roles to assist those in need within our communities:

• Accompanied Activities – Non Emergency medical transport (Horsham & Ballarat)
• Meal Deliveries for Laneway Café without borders
• Meal Preparation for Laneway Café without borders
• Non assisted shopping
• Accompanied Activities – shopping
• Social Connection – helping to keep loneliness at bay

If you are interested in volunteering for any of the above roles, please contact marieke@centreforparticipation.org.au for information on how to access our online Introduction to Volunteering training to start your journey to becoming a local volunteer.

We would love to see you as part of our amazing volunteer community!

Please email marieke@centreforparticipation.org.au or ring our office on 5382 5607 for more information.

Did you undertake any of the following classes with us in 2019? If so we would love to get your feedback!

• English Language Program
• Women’s Journey
• Hospitality Workforce Pathways
• Or any of our Literacy and Numeracy classes

The devastation of COVID-19 will create one of the biggest social issues of our time.

We are inviting you to participate in a Survey, to provide us with valuable insights on your evolving needs and perceptions about COVID-19 as the pandemic continues to unfold. The types of questions in the survey relate to:

• Challenges you are facing as a result of social isolation;
• Perceived concerns around catching the virus;
• How you are currently accessing information;
• What is providing relief for you during this time;
• Your perceived sense of community safety; and
• Your perceived impact of the economic implications of COVID-19.

We will be checking in with a follow-up survey every week for the next 2 months, and then monthly thereafter. Each Survey should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

The information you provide will help us to understand your sentiment and concerns during this critical time, enabling us to help accordingly.

Click Here to get started. You will be required to read the registration information and give your consent to participate prior to commencing.

If you are thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, please contact  Lifeline 131 114 or for local help please call 1800 195 114 for immediate support and assistance. For local COVID-19 support, please Click Here.

As of Thursday 26 March 2020

The front door will remain closed. Please ring Reception on 5382 5607 to arrange an appointment.

Reception hours will be 9.00 am to 3.00 pm Monday to Friday.

The new office hours will remain in place until further notice.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Local COVID-19 Supports and Contact can be downloaded here

Part time 16 months fixed term

(0.3 FTE) Flexible 12 hours per week

An exciting opportunity exists with this newly created project role to focus on the preconstruction phase of a community-owned solar farm of 1.45 to 1.6MW in the Natimuk Area.

The role will provide the community with a facility capable of producing the equivalent amount of electricity that Natimuk uses, incorporate options to enable the community to own this asset, and to reap the benefits of locally produced electricity. Will demonstrate how a small rural community can own and operate a facility of this kind; and create a model for other small rural communities to use themselves.

The closing date for this position is 6 March 2020, 5pm with interviews to be held on or around 9 – 13 March 2020.

For further information contact Sue Newall, on 0407 611 299. Position descriptions can be downloaded here or at or  natimukcommunityenergy.org

To apply for this position email sue.newall@centreforparticipation.org.au  with Natimuk- Community Energy Solar Farm – Project Coordinator in the subject field; forward your application letter addressing the key selection criteria (maximum two pages) and resume.