Chief Executive Jane Pickering said Eldercare’s 361 volunteers contribute 40,000 hours per year to the organisation and they each play a vital role in delivering peace of mind to residents, clients and their families.

“Our volunteer base has continued to grow in 2019 and the variety of roles has expanded with a record number of volunteers now working in hospitality, maintenance and administration in addition to more traditional roles,” said Jane.

“Regardless of their roles, I see the Eldercare value of ‘connection’ in action every time I visit our residential care facilities as volunteers form relationships with residents and help connect them with their own purpose and meaning.”

Guests heard from Governor of South Australia and Patron of Volunteering SA/NT His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le, who was ‘impressed’ by the age range represented within Eldercare’s volunteer base.

His Excellency met Eldercare’s eldest volunteer Mildred, who is almost 100 years old and volunteers at Eldercare Seaford in the southern suburbs.

Eldercare’s youngest volunteer Cordelia, based at Eldercare Trowbridge House in Payneham, is five years old.

His Excellency was also presented with two artworks painted by Sash Ferguson residents Leslie Tomlinson and Sue Sickerdick.

Volunteering SA/NT Chief Executive Evelyn O’Loughlin also attended the event and read a thoughtful quote on volunteering from former United States President Barack Obama.

“During his 2016 address for National Volunteer Week, Obama said ‘Let us shed the cynicism that says one person cannot make a difference in the lives of others’,” said Evelyn.

“Individual volunteers may think they are only one person but their collective impact is enormous.”

Eldercare Volunteer Program Coordinator Kylie Maher said the event was held to demonstrate the organisation’s appreciation for the huge contribution volunteers make to the organisation.

“It was very special for our volunteers to be recognised by two leaders of the volunteering sector in South Australia, as well as members of the Eldercare Board and the Executive Team,” said Kylie.

Volunteers based on the Yorke Peninsula will attend a local celebration at The Ventnor Hotel in Port Vincent later this week.

For more information on volunteering at Eldercare please complete an online application or contact Volunteer Program Coordinator Kylie Maher on (08) 8274 3610.

View the galleries for more photos from the day:

Image: Eldercare Chief Executive Jane Pickering, Eldercare Seaford volunteer Mildred and Governor of South Australia and Patron of Volunteering SA/NT His Excellency The Honourable Hieu Van Le.