The theme for National Volunteer Week in 2020 is “Changing Communities. Changing Lives” which is certainly true of the 500+ people who support, strengthen and empower vulnerable members of our community by volunteering at Doncare.

Traditionally, our National Volunteer Week function affords us the opportunity to announce Doncare's Volunteer of the Year and acknowledge the dedication of our volunteers who have reached a milestone in their years of service.

Announcing Volunteer of the Year 2020

We are thrilled to announce Peter Gartner and Des Galgut as Volunteers of the Year. Both gentlemen are well deserved recipients of this prestigious honour and we congratulate and thank you for your dedication and commitment to Doncare.

Peter Gartner has been a dedicated volunteer in the Op Shop Program for eight years. He works at the depot and drives the truck for deliveries and pick-ups, along with many other tasks that he helpfully undertakes. Peter’s hand is already raised even before anyone has asked for help, his beaming smile, good sense of humour, generosity and willingness to help in any capacity has made him a favourite among all depot and Op Shop staff. Peter is a reliable, hard working volunteer who has a heart of gold with a can-do attitude. We don't know where we would be without you, Pete.

A committed member of the Doncare Board for the past 9 years, Des Galgut has held the role of Treasurer for 8 years. Des emigrated from South Africa and has lived in Doncaster for 27 years. He is an Accountant in private practice and enjoys voluntary and charity work. Des has provided outstanding financial management and governance through numerical and visual representation of Doncare's financial results and achievements, improving the Boards decision making capability and ability to respond effectively to changing trends in an often ruthless NFP environment. Des cares very deeply for the community and his proactive approach launched the Winter Warmth Program in 2011, which now assists up to 200 vulnerable community members to pay their heating bills each winter.

Read more about our local heroes in Manningham Matters

Recognising important milestones....

Of course, as with every year, we have some wonderful volunteers who are celebrating some significant milestones for years of service. Some have been part of the Doncare family for as long as 25 years! What a wonderful achievement.

Of course, all the volunteers who support our programs are as important as the next, whether they have been with us for only a few months or a few decades. Without their dedication and continued drive to contribute, we could not achieve the results and outcomes that we do.