The Gippsland Engaged Mentoring (GEM) Program shows gratitude and appreciation to valuable volunteers with afternoon tea and volunteer gatherings across East Gippsland. 
The GEM Program recognised 65 volunteers who showed true resilience and dedication over the past year.  
“Volunteers are the backbone of our program,” program coordinator, Bailee Macnab, said.
“Without them we would not be able to achieve the positive results we see with our local youth. The kind and selfless nature of GEM volunteer mentors is truly admirable and we are proud to have them on our team.”
Volunteer mentors act as a consistent positive adult role model to young people in the community who need it most, spending time together each week, building connections and forming lasting friendships. Volunteers from Orbost, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale attended gatherings over National Volunteer Week with another lunch still to take place next week to recognise mentors from Omeo and Swifts Creek.
Mentors who reached a major milestone with five years of service and more received recognition awards from GEM and Workways chief executive officer, Kieren Kearney and board chairperson, Thelma Hutchison, for their commendable achievements.
Service awards were given to volunteers in recognition of valued volunteer service and contribution to Workways Australia, customers, and the community. Milestone mentions include: Carol Barnes, Joy and Malcolm Chesterfield, Russell Healey, John Ireland, Tania Joiner, Margaret Lawrence, Harriet Minter, Ian Roberts, Teresa Royce, Kaye Stafford, Mandy Steel, John Upton, Peter Van den Oever, and Robin Wain.
Workways Australia and Gippsland Engaged Mentoring thanked all of volunteers for making it through 2020-2021 and wish everyone a fantastic year ahead.
Workways always looks for more volunteers as the program caseload continues to grow.
New data from Volunteering Australia estimates that 2.3 million less Australian’s volunteered in April 2021 compared to April 2019 and unfortunately, this is trickling down into the program.

IMAGE: Lakes Entrance-based Gippsland Engaged Mentoring (GEM) Program volunteers have been recognised as part of National Volunteer Week. (PS)