MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has acknowledged and thanked volunteers from around the region with National Volunteer Week events underway across the region.

National Volunteer Week runs from May 19 to May 25 and celebrates the six million people who volunteer for organisations across Australia.

This year, the theme for National Volunteer Week is ‘connecting communities’.

Mr Moylan attended the New England Regional Volunteer Awards in Armidale on Wednesday and thanked volunteers for the significant impact they have on our communities.

“National Volunteer Week celebrates the vital role volunteers play in our communities and invites people not currently volunteering to get out there and give it a go,” Mr Moylan said.

“Without our volunteers, many organisations, charities, events, sporting clubs and more couldn’t operate.

“Our volunteers selflessly offer their time to better the lives of people within our region.

“These hard-working and dedicated people are the backbone in our communities.

“I would like to thank volunteers across the region for contributing to our area.”

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, New England Regional Volunteer of the Year Henry Raymond from Meals on Wheels in Armidale and Uralla, and Armidale councillor, Paul Gaddes.

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.

Established in 1989, National Volunteer Week recognises the big impact volunteers have in Australia. Volunteering is essential for our nation’s wellbeing and helps build strong and inclusive communities.

As part of National Volunteer Week, May 21 is Wear Orange Wednesday, WOW.

This is a nationally recognised day to say thank you to the thousands of State Emergency Services (SES) volunteers.

The SES help communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week through storms, floods, and other disasters.