Over the next week, there are two significant events happening that allow us to stop and acknowledge the generous contribution of others to our community, and to say a heartfelt thank you to them for doing so.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers. From 20–26 May 2019,  thousands of events will be held across the country to say thank you to the 6 million Australians who volunteer their time. The week-long celebration will include breakfasts, morning/afternoon teas, and luncheons, as well as open days, award ceremonies, picnics, forums and training sessions.

Saturday 25th May is the National Day of Thanksgiving. Every year, the National Day of Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to reflect on the efforts of those who work quietly and humbly every day to enrich our lives. This year the day has a special on thanking Local Government Officials, and Chaplains in our community, as well as thinking about the people in your life who support you personally – how can you thank them?

It’s important for our children to see us stopping and thanking others and being grateful for all we have. There is a growing body of research that sug

gests regular gratitude practice can improve your mental wellbeing. Gratitude encourages you to be happier, feel more zest for life, stress less, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, forge stronger relationships, and may even boost your immune system.

It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy”.

Jenni Forder

Pastoral Care Worker