MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Sullivan
I am pleased to honour the tremendous contribution made by Australians who have served overseas as volunteers in Australia's overseas aid program, devoting their time and expertise to improving the lives of people in developing countries.
These dedicated individuals are the human face of Australia's overseas aid program. The Australian Government believes their invaluable contribution deserves to be recognised through a program of certificate award ceremonies.
Over 50 returned volunteers from the Hobart area will be awarded certificates at a ceremony this evening.
Australians' compassion for people worse off than ourselves is well known, with our generosity demonstrated vividly in the overwhelming response to recent humanitarian disasters such as the tidal wave in Papua New Guinea and the crisis in Kosovo.
More than 5,000 Australians have taken part in these volunteer programs in areas as diverse as seed technology, teaching, radiography, neurosurgery and panel beating.
On their return home, volunteers enrich our society by sharing their experiences with other Australians and helping to maintain the links between Australia and aid-recipient countries.
The Howard Government is providing $12.1 million in 1999-2000 for continued support for volunteer programs, through our aid program.
We have also launched the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program to send more than 500 young Australians to work on development projects in the Asia Pacific region.
Ceremony Details: 6.30pm, Tuesday 20 July, 1999, Ballroom North, Grand Chancellor Hotel, 1 Davey Street, Hobart.
Guest Speaker: Miroslav Konecny, from the Australian Expert Services Overseas Program (AESOP) who served in Tonga and Kirabati.
Media contacts:
Judi Nixon (Mrs Sullivan's office) 07 5591 1011/ 0411 287 258
Kirsten Hawke (AusAID) 02 6206 4971 / 0417 90 3429