National Volunteer Week (11-17 May) is the perfect time for State Premier Will Hodgman to announce that Volunteering Tasmania has been officially recognised as a Peak body.

At Volunteering Tasmania’s Meet and Greet in Elizabeth St Mall today, Premier Hodgman announced that the Government will be providing $260,000 funding per annum, in perpetuity. A component of the funding will be core funding, with the rest being project funding.

Volunteering Tasmania CEO Adrienne Picone is jubilant about the decision, which has been aptly announced in line with the National Volunteer Week theme: ‘Give Happy, Live Happy’.

“This is a significant achievement for Volunteering Tasmania. Staff and board members, past and present, have worked really hard for this recognition,” she said.

“We are so pleased that the Government acknowledges the value in volunteering, as well as the value we provide as a supporter of effective volunteering in the state,” she said.

“This announcement shows the Government’s commitment to volunteering and the positive impact it has on Tasmanian communities,” she said.

According to the State of Volunteering Report: Tasmania 2014, four out of every five Tasmanians volunteer.

“For every one dollar invested in volunteering, at least four dollars in benefits are returned to the Tasmanian community. Investing makes great business sense,” said Ms Picone.

www.volunteeringtas.org.au