National Volunteer Awards nominations open
others to join their cause; and they undertake their tasks selflessly and without the purpose of material gain.
Recognising service to the community
Nominations are now open. Award ceremonies are to be held on or around the International Volunteer Day on Saturday 5 December 2011. Ten award winners in each electorate will be recognised. For more information about the awards or to get a nomination form, please call your local federal member.
The Minister for Social Inclusion, Tanya Plibersek MP, has announced an awards campaign to recognise Volunteers are unsung heroes individuals who give up their free time to who make an deliver services outstanding contribution to their local community through volunteering. To be eligible for an award, volunteers should be widely recognised as being significant contributors to their communities, their contribution of time and effort sets an example to other volunteers; they provide guidance to other volunteers and encourage
National Volunteer Awards Award categories include: • MP’s Volunteer of the Year Award • Junior Volunteer Award (17 and under) • Young Volunteer Award (18-25) • Education Award • Environment Award • Long-term Commitment to Community Service Award • Business Volunteer Award • Innovation in Volunteering Award – organisation/ individual • New Organisation Award • Emergency Management Award
Fresh Horizons Ministry – on the move Our goal: Merryl Lynch statistics show that over 50% of baby boomers want to keep working in retirement. Some through necessity, some want to launch into a new business or career and others want to keep active in part time jobs that allow flexibility. Fresh Horizons Ministry is keen to see the same trend happen with Christian boomers through continued active participation in church life and leadership and in forming vital new connections with their community. Conferences: In August, Fresh Horizons hosted two conferences for those embracing the new wave of ministry to those in life’s second half. Tauranga in New Zealand’s north island was the host city for the first New Zealand conference of this kind in the country. A local board working in cooperation with Fresh Horizons Australia staged a fantastic event over two days that drew close to 100 pastors, church leaders and interested Christians from around New Zealand. The following week, Caloundra City in south east Queensland hosted their second Australian Conference with over 60 leaders, ministers and interested Christians from as far away as Victoria attending. Both conferences benefitted from the insights of keynote speaker Ward Tanneberg (USA) who focused on the topic ‘Influencing the Generations’. A variety
of relevant electives were offered and well received that included the topics ‘Jesus and women in today’s world’, ‘Positioning and equipping your church to reach and mobilise baby boomers’ and ‘Accentuating the positive.’ A valuable feature of both conferences was the panel of practitioners who are successfully involved in second half ministries. New Zealand’s panel featured Tom Frew, a Baptist pastor, whose entire ministry focus is on building a vibrant congregation of over 50s. Nan Kingston-Smith focused on health and fitness while Denise Whitehead is involved with the Tauranga City Council exploring the concept of global age friendly cities. Australia’s panel included Bruce Murray who is involved in the Rivers and Lakes model of reaching cross generationally into the community, Ross Morgan is refocusing his ageing congregation to re-engage in play groups and the Kids Hope mentoring program and Mark Wall is addressing men’s health issues through a growing Men’s Shed ministry. Future: Plans are already being made for August 2012 conferences so if you missed out this year plan on attending next year. Keep checking the website for updates as they come to hand.
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