The week is also a great opportunity for volunteer driven organisations to connect with the community and showcase what volunteering has to offer, as well as recruit volunteers to the organisations that need them most.

On Monday afternoon Tamworth Regional Council are hosting a Volunteer Expo to do just that.

Co-ordinator for Volunteer Services Veronica Filby said that despite Tamworth having an “incredibly strong volunteering culture there are many organisations in desperate need of help.”

One such organisation is the Friends of Tamworth Marsupial Park, with President John McDarmont always in need of some fresh faces and new hands to help out.

“Being a retiree volunteering means the world to me, because it gets me out of the house,” he said.

“I really enjoy working with other people and the animals. It’s something completely different to what I did in my working life and it has really given me a life boost.” 

The organisation has put the call out to anyone interested to please get in touch and lend a helping hand to what is one of Tamworth’s most iconic, and free, public assets.

The Volunteer Expo will be held at the Community Centre from 4pm until 7pm on Monday and will feature several local organisations including emergency services, historical museums, parks and gardens, and local charity groups.

“There are volunteering opportunities available across many different areas, and we are looking for people of all ages, and from all walks of life,” Ms Filby said.

“We would especially love to see more participation from the younger generations, who stand to benefit greatly from giving just a little bit of time each week – developing leadership skills, meeting new people, working as part of a team and connecting with community are all important personal and professional skills that future employers often look for.”