'We could not be the type of organisation we aspire to be without all of our volunteers', said Brotherhood of St Laurence executive director Tony Nicholson, at an event to commend the work of the Brotherhood's 1,121 volunteers.
Mr Nicholson paid particular thanks to Margaret Millard, 88, who has been volunteering with the organisation for 44 years.
'I'll keep volunteering until I cannot do it anymore,' said Margaret, one of the faces of the Brotherhood's National Volunteer Week celebrations.
As part of the week's events, all Brotherhood sites held a morning tea on Wednesday 14 May for staff and volunteers.
And that's one of the things Obi Smith, 32, likes about volunteering with the Brotherhood.
He says the organisation "appreciates volunteers just as if they were working here full time".
Smith volunteers at
Brotherhood Books, a Brotherhood of St Laurence Social Enterprise that sells second-hand books online with proceeds raised supporting the delivery of the Brotherhood's programs and services. He also helps the Brotherhood's finance department at the head office in Fitzroy.
'I'm just happy being here,' said Smith. 'It's not only the experience I'm getting, but the feeling of being valued... and working with a lot of people who are willing to help.'
His words were echoed by fellow volunteer Amanda Clarke. 'The people are just amazing,' she said in response to a question from Brotherhood senior manager of volunteer services Simone Power, asking why she volunteers. 'The wealth of experience and knowledge, and the willingness to share,' said Clarke.
Before presenting several volunteers with a certificate of appreciation, Mr Nicholson, who is no stranger to volunteering himself, added some of his own views on the act of giving.
'Volunteering, I believe, helps satisfy a deep yearning within all of us to be part of a larger good – a larger good to which we can bring our own humble contribution.
'I remember growing up in the country where elder brothers were volunteer firefighters, my parents caring for the trees around the church in times of drought.'
That same spirit, of the community coming together to push for a better world, was how the Brotherhood began.
'We are an organisation created by people who shared a concern and voluntarily came together, who joined hands, set their own directions and encouraged others to contribute.'
With that, on behalf of the Brotherhood, Mr Nicholson gave a 'heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful volunteers'.