National Volunteer Week 2023 - A message from the President

This week, from May 15-21, Australia will celebrate National Volunteer Week – a week which recognises the dedication and vital support that volunteers across the country provide to various causes within their communities.  

At RSL Queensland, this annual celebration sees us both thank and recognise the many wonderful volunteers who generously invest their time, experience and effort to our organisation and vast network of Sub Branches to provide support to veterans and their families. I also want to acknowledge the important contribution veterans make to supporting each other and the wider community through volunteering for causes they are passionate about. 

I’m sure it’ll comes as no surprise that those who have served in the ADF are more likely to volunteer than those who’ve never served (Census, 2021). And this goes back to purpose – having a purpose, giving back to those around us, making a contribution to our local communities and connecting with our mates, something I see within each of our Districts. 

The same values of service, courage and respect that unify our service men and women are what drive them to continue to serve through volunteering. We are lucky in that so many volunteers across our network of Sub Branches bring the same values, spirit and unwavering commitment to the work they do to deliver vital services and advocate for their fellow service men and women, and their families.  

The veterans among us are joined by our wider network of extremely skilled, selfless and dedicated volunteers who work day in and day out to help us support and advocate for our veterans and their families. We are privileged to have thousands of volunteers across the state who have all made extraordinary contributions within their community – from setting up commemoration ceremonies throughout the year to raising vital funds and assisting those in need – thank you for being so generous with your time.  

Both the veteran volunteers throughout communities and our volunteer community here at RSL Queensland truly embody this year’s theme of ‘The Change Makers.’ Together, all volunteers are working to change, create and collectively work to better the communities and great causes they are so passionate about.  

As we recognise and celebrate all that our volunteers do during National Volunteers Week, we encourage everyone to consider how they can join this force for good and give back to their communities through volunteering.  

To all of our volunteers – I want to personally extend my thanks, gratitude and respect to you for your ongoing commitment to providing care, commemoration and camaraderie in your community.  

Each year, you dedicate your time in service of your community and I cannot thank you enough for the essential role you play in supporting local veterans and their families.