Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo, delivered more than 160 volunteer appreciation certificates to local six schools during National Volunteer Week.

Mr Piccolo invited schools to nominate volunteers in their school community who they would like to see receive certificates of appreciation, with Compass Catholic Community, Gawler & District College, Mark Oliphant College, Munno Para Primary School, Northern Adelaide Senior College and Trinity College all submitting names.

Mr Piccolo said he was aware volunteers play an important role in our schools, including as members of governing councils (boards), sporting coaches, fundraising committees, helping students read, running canteens, restocking books on library shelves etc.

Speaking at an event at Trinity College to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution volunteers make to the community, Mr Piccolo emphasised the importance of celebrating our volunteers all year-round.

“There is no doubt that volunteers form the backbone of so many of our local organisations, so we should take any opportunity we get to celebrate their contributions to our community,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Volunteers often contribute to the community in ways which is sometimes not seen or well understood.

“In most walks of life, you will find a volunteer contributing to the success of that organisation or supporting other people in our community through a range of roles and settings.

“To fully understand the contribution volunteers make, just imagine Gawler and the surrounding areas having no volunteers for just a few weeks - there would be very little weekend sport and a range of other activities.”

While at the event, Mr Piccolo spoke with Jane Fraser, who has volunteered at Trinity College for about 23 years.

Ms Fraser started her volunteering at the Gawler River Campus of Trinity College while her children were students at the school, and then transferred to the main Gawler campus, where she has volunteered in the canteen for many years.

Ms Fraser said she has immensely enjoyed the role in the canteen, and has made so many friends, that they are like family.

Mr Piccolo said volunteers play an important role in connecting people and building a sense of community.

“For some in our community, the volunteer who arrives at their door on a regular basis might be the only contact they may have with the wider community,” Mr Piccolo said.

“Their importance cannot be overstated.”