Volunteers ‘make the world go around’ at Hudson Road Family Centre

National Volunteer Week, from May 20-26, is a time to recognise and celebrate the vital role volunteers play in the community. Hudson Road Family Centre is one of many examples in Bunbury of the positive impact of the time and effort volunteers put into their work. Development manager Jennifer Monaghan said the centre would not be able to function without the volunteers it had creating networks and assisting its operation. “Volunteers make the world go around,” she said. “They are of the highest importance here. “This centre wouldn’t exist as it does without our amazing committee made up of 10 volunteers. “They’re from all different walks of life and local to the area. They really do an amazing job of supporting the centre and having it run for the community and about the community”. The centre has been busy with the impact of the city’s recent tornado, which Ms Monaghan described as “mind-boggling”. She said the real effects were yet to be seen amid the recovery. “People have been ringing and saying things like ‘I’ve got a spare bedroom if you know anyone that needs a room’, and someone else said ‘Oh, I can drop food off’,” Ms Monaghan said. “Our food hampers have been fabulous and lots of people have been dropping off food, so we put a notice on Facebook to help connect people and be a conduit for all the giving. ‘We didn’t ask for donations because we had already been given so much.” Volunteer group Bunbury Community Learning Group meets at the centre weekly and tackles social isolation for older residents with a social morning tea and a guest speaker. Some of the centre’s volunteers also run Bunbury Soup Van, helping those who are struggling.