Celebrating Indigenous Community Volunteers

Senator Ursula Stephens, today congratulated the organisation Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV) and the many volunteers it manages for their work in closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, Senator Stephens presented the 2010 ICV Outstanding Volunteer Award to Tegan Murray. Tegan, a psychology student from Canberra, was recognised for her work mentoring 22 year old Torres Strait Islander, Reg Hodges, who has autism and a moderate intellectual disability.

“Tegan is an exceptional person who, at just 24, supports Reg in many activities including Torres Strait Islander dancing for ICV’s volunteers during their cross-cultural induction workshop and assisting with general duties in ICV’s Canberra office,” Senator Stephens said.

“While supporting Reg, Tegan is enabling him to progress in his working life so that he can ultimately seek unsupported employment.

“Her vivacity and vitality have greatly enriched not only Reg’s life but also the lives of all her co-workers, who say she contributes greatly to promoting high morale in the office.

“Tegan’s contribution offers a perfect example of the work ICV does at the grassroots level to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.

“ICV is an organisation truly driven by the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

“The significant inroads it has made in closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage and advancing the cause of reconciliation are wonderful achievements.”

Today’s ceremony is part of National Volunteer Week, a week-long celebration of volunteering in Australia, recognising the five million plus Australians who contribute greatly to their communities through volunteering.

For more information on National Volunteer Week events.