Government Honours Australia's Overseas Volunteers

MEDIA RELEASE

Released By:
Downer

I am pleased to honour the tremendous
contribution made by Australians who have served overseas as volunteers,
devoting their time and expertise to improving the lives of people in developing
countries.

These dedicated individuals are part of
the human face of Australia's overseas aid program and the Australian Government
believes their invaluable contribution deserves to be recognised through a
program of certificate award ceremonies.

I will be launching the certificate award
ceremonies in Sydney tonight where around 70 returned volunteers from New South
Wales will take part in a ceremony at the Town Hall involving, where possible,
their local Members of Parliament.

Australian's compassion for people worse
off than ourselves is well known with our generosity vividly demonstrated in the
overwhelming response to the recent tidal wave disaster in Papua New Guinea.

Australian volunteer programs harnessing
this compassion and generosity have been run by organisations such as the
Overseas Services Bureau, Australian Executive Service Overseas Program and the
Paulian Association since the 1960s.

Over 5000 qualified Australians have taken
part in these volunteer programs working in developing countries in areas as
diverse as seed technology, teaching, radiography and panel beating.

On their return home, volunteers enrich
our society sharing their experiences with other Australians and helping to
maintain the links between Australia and our aid partner countries.

Recognising the contribution volunteers
can make, the Government is giving up to 500 young Australians the opportunity
to work on development projects in the Asia-Pacific region through the Youth
Ambassador Scheme. Applications for the scheme will be called later this month.

The Australian Government assists
volunteer aid programs through funding grants to non-government organisations.
Over $17 million has been allocated for this financial year.