In a joint statement, Minister for Community Services Jenny Macklin and Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Senator Ursula Stephens said that the funding would provide support to these resource centres over the next two years, until 30 June 2011.

Last week’s National Volunteer week acknowledged and celebrated the significant contribution that the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer make to the country, including to the economy – volunteering has an annual estimated value of $42 billion.

“They are the people who protect our homes when bushfires rage, deliver meals on wheels, raise money for local causes and organise local sports and youth groups,” according to Minister Macklin and Senator Stephens.