Villa Maria Catholic Homes recognised the invaluable work of its 630 volunteers at a special luncheon as part of National Volunteer Week.

VMCH Board of Directors Chair, Bill Scales, welcomed more than 300 of VMCH’s volunteers to the event held at the Caulfield Racecourse. The volunteers have donated their time to services including aged care, disability services, VMCH’s Op Shops and its specialist school, St Paul’s College.

Mr Scales said the organisation’s youngest volunteer was 15 and the oldest was 103 and still knitting blankets for VMCH’s aged care community. VMCH’s volunteers donate their time across Victoria at 36 locations.

“I am here for just one purpose today and that’s to say a very big and personal thank you to you and all our volunteers,” he said.

“Thank you for the love that you show and the care that you provide to all the people that you support.”

VMCH volunteers donated almost 97,000 hours in 2017 – equating to a stunning 1,800 hours each week. Mr Scales gave a special mention to volunteers who travelled from regional Victoria to enjoy Wednesday’s event.

VMCH CEO Sonya Smart said volunteers were an invaluable part of the VMCH community.

“Your work at VMCH makes a huge difference to people,” she said.

“You are very much part of the Villa Maria Catholic Homes team and your work is not taken for granted. You make VMCH a better organisation.”

The luncheon was held in the beautiful Promenade Room, which overlooks the famous Caulfield Racecourse. Many volunteers and VMCH staff got into the spirit of the event by putting on their finest outfits, lovely hats and fascinators.  

Special events caricature artist, Gavin Bell, entertained the crowd with his interactive and very funny show. It included creating super-fast caricatures of VMCH volunteers and he even performed his own version of the iconic kid’s show, Mr Squiggle.

Villa Maria Catholic Homes recognised the invaluable work of its 630 volunteers at a special luncheon as part of National Volunteer Week.

VMCH Board of Directors Chair, Bill Scales, welcomed more than 300 of VMCH’s volunteers to the event held at the Caulfield Racecourse. The volunteers have donated their time to services including aged care, disability services, VMCH’s Op Shops and its specialist school, St Paul’s College.

Mr Scales said the organisation’s youngest volunteer was 15 and the oldest was 103 and still knitting blankets for VMCH’s aged care community. VMCH’s volunteers donate their time across Victoria at 36 VMCH locations.

“I am here for just one purpose today and that’s to say a very big and personal thank you to you and all our volunteers. Thank you for the love that you show and the care that you provide to all the people that you support.”

VMCH volunteers donated almost 97,000 hours in 2017 – equating to a stunning 18,000 hours each week. Mr Scales gave a special mention to volunteers who travelled from regional Victoria to enjoy Wednesday’s event.

VMCH CEO Sonya Smart said volunteers were an invaluable part of the VMCH community.

“Your work at VMCH makes a huge difference to people,” she said.

“You are very much part of the Villa Maria Catholic Homes team and your work is not taken for granted. You make VMCH a better organisation.”

The luncheon was held in the beautiful Promenade Room, which overlooks the famous Caulfield Racecourse. Many volunteers and VMCH staff got into the spirit of the event by putting on their finest outfits, lovely hats and fascinators.  

Special events caricature artist, Gavin Bell, entertained the crowd with his interactive and very funny show. It included creating super-fast caricatures of VMCH volunteers and he even performed his own version of the iconic kid’s show, Mr Squiggle.