What does busy Merimbula hairdresser David Barrie do in his spare time?
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When he's not busy cutting hair you will find him pulling weeds at Merimbula's community urban farm.
Mr Barrie's motto is "if everyone gives a little we all gain a lot."
It seems many people around Bega Valley share in his sentiment. According to the BVSC webpage around 26% of people aged 15 years and over participate in some sort of voluntary activity.
"Making a world of difference" is the theme for National Volunteer Week which is being celebrated this week, May 20-26.
Ahead of this week's celebrations we took a short trip around Eden and Merimbula to find out what differences some of our volunteers were making to our communities and what benefits they had found through volunteering.
Dallas Cotton of Pambula has been volunteering 'in between jobs' at the Salvation Army Family Store in Merimbula for 3 years.
"There aren't many jobs out there for people my age [60 years plus], it helps to fill in time and it's a good feeling knowing I am helping people out," Mr Cotton said
Maryann Millard of Eden can be found tending to the gardens at the Uniting church in Eden. Ms Millard has spent the past two years creating welcoming cottage gardens around the church grounds, helping out in the community kitchen and doing "what ever needs doing."
"There are so many people struggling with financial problems and feeling stressed. Plants and gardens help out with that sort of thing. Depression can be eased just by getting dirt on your hands, just by getting down and feeling the earth."
"I like creating a welcoming environment where people feel like they want to come, where they feel they are part of a community," Ms Millard said.
Volunteer Eden Marine Rescue radio operator Clive Perrett began volunteering at the rescue station about two years ago. An electrical engineer by trade he said learning how to operate and man the radios has given him a new interest in life as well as a sense of satisfaction.
"I get to talk to a lot of interesting boats, it's a nice feeling knowing you are looking out for people," Mr Perrett said.
"I wasn't expecting to volunteer," said Kate Sandow who was serving at the check out at the Merimbula Salvation Army Family Store.
"I came to drop off donations and they said they couldn't accept them due to lack of volunteers. So I thought I'd give it a go."
Ms Sandow said she loved the atmosphere she had discovered at the Salvo's store three months ago and has made many new friends.
"I just love it and I love knowing I am helping out other people as well."
Cruise Eden volunteers Barb and Bob Westmacott travel from Bega to Eden throughout the busy cruise ship season welcoming passengers to Eden and our shores.
The couple began volunteering for Cruise Eden around five years ago and said it was the love of cruise ships, the sea and the "wonderful" people they meet and volunteer with in Eden that brings them back every cruise season.
"We have been on cruises ourselves and it's nice to welcome people to our shores and you get to meet all sorts of people, " Mr Westmacott said.
"We love interacting with people and volunteering keeps us connected with community," Mrs Westmacott added.
Meals on Wheels volunteers Mary Payne and Marielou Albaladejo were in between meal deliveries around Eden when we approached them. Both said they felt great satisfaction knowing they were helping people in the community smile.
"People are often so happy and grateful to see you," Ms Albaladejo said.
"Sometimes you might be the only person they see that day. Delivering meals helps keep people connected."
From Little Things president David Barrie said witnessing the connections that other volunteers make with one another is a hugely satisfying benefit of volunteering.
"Community members interact and friendships are formed. Those connections might not have happened otherwise- it's all about connection," he said.