CEF Grenfell volunteers at a recent street stall, with student Annabella Taylor, lending a hand. Photo courtesy of CEF Grenfell.
This week marks National Volunteer Week 2025, an opportunity to celebrate the year-round efforts of our 430 volunteers across regional Australia.
National Volunteer Week will celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities,’ highlighting the important role of volunteers in our collective community, people who choose to dedicate their time, energy and resources to support others.
CEF volunteers all have one thing in common – to support local youth in their area and help set them up for success in their post-school education or employment ambitions. They commit significant time out of their lives to make a difference in their respective communities, including fundraising, encouraging students to apply for CEF grants, assessing applications, awarding local grants and supporting students in navigating the transition to a new chapter.
Their efforts ensure youth in their area can access post school education and employment, something that not only benefits the individual, but has the potential to empower families and transform communities.
CEF CEO, Wendy Mason, commends the local volunteers for driving CEF’s mission forward.
“Our volunteers are essential to the work of CEF. They are the connection and strength that binds us to community. One can’t help but be motivated and inspired by their passion for improving the lives of the people around them,” she said.
In 2024, Country Education Foundation supported more than 700 students from 49 communities with more than $2.5 million in direct financial assistance.
96 per cent of these students say the support they receive is an important factor in pursuing further study. And with 99 per cent on track to complete their studies, the outlook is buoyant.
It’s clear evidence of positive impact, yet financial assistance is only part of the story.
CEF volunteers are embedded in the fabric of their communities. This often translates to peer support, with volunteers playing a mentor or buddy role to their students, or pastoral care, with members equipped (through CEF’s student support program) with the skills to recognise mental health challenges and refer to the most appropriate service.
Often, the backing of the committee is the signal an individual needs to believe in themselves. For students heading into new chapters of life, often relocating to new towns or cities, the message that “we are with you” is a powerful one for motivating them to reach their goals.
And for the many students that choose to remain or return to their hometown and contribute their new-found skills, it is not uncommon that they end up volunteering for a local CEF foundation themselves, and giving back to the committee that first supported them. It’s a circular moment, quintessential of regional and rural communities.
This National Volunteer Week, we asked our students to share their gratitude for our volunteers and the response was heartwarming!
Here are three students from different regions sharing the impact of CEF volunteers on their study and lives.
”I want to say a big thank you for all the support you have given me during my nursing degree. Your financial help has allowed me to buy important equipment that I need for my studies and training. Without it, things would have been much harder.
Annabella TaylorCEF Grenfell
I am also really grateful for the kind and encouraging messages I have received. My mentor’s support has helped me stay motivated and focused, even when things felt tough. The advice and kind words from other CEF members have also meant a lot to me and reminded me that I’m not alone.
Thanks to your help, my university journey has been much smoother and less stressful. I am so thankful to be part of a community that cares and wants to help students succeed.
Thank you again for everything you do. I hope to make you all proud as I continue my studies and work towards becoming a nurse.
”I would like to say a massive thank you to Julie and the wider team of volunteers at Hastings Education Fund (HEF). As a HEF recipient I truly feel so supported in my study journey and you have created a wider family of students from the Hastings region. The countless hours you have all put in does not go unrecognised and is appreciated immensely!”
Luka MarshallHastings Education Fund
”The support from my local CEF and its volunteers has been a beacon of hope in my educational journey. Their financial assistance has not only lightened my financial load but also empowered me to dream bigger. The volunteers' unwavering belief in my potential has been a constant source of inspiration, making me feel valued and supported. Their dedication goes beyond just financial aid; it’s about building a brighter future together.
Lucy ConnonGreat Lakes Education Fund
Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enriches lives and strengthens communities. These words of thanks demonstrate the incredible impact our volunteers have on our students, building thriving and inclusive communities in the process.
A big thank you to you all!
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with CEF, please visit your local foundation page and make contact with the committee chair.
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