Member for Ginninderra Mary Porter has presented special commendations to 14 sporting volunteers at a ceremony to recognise the outstanding contribution that volunteers make to sport.
"Our sporting volunteers have a tremendous impact on the delivery of sport and recreation activities within our community" Mary said.
"Sporting volunteers contribute more than 2 million hours of work annually in the ACT, undertaking a wide range of roles as diverse as coaching, umpiring, timekeeping, canteen duties, administration and committee work.
"Were we to put a monetary value of even $15 an hour on this work, the bill would be $30 million annually and very few of us would be able to afford to participate in our favourite team sport were we required to pay those who undertake all the tasks necessary to keep sporting teams functioning.
"Every week, tens of thousands of Canberrans participate in their chosen sport with little or no regard for the people who make it happen," Mary continued.
The 'Thanks' program is an initiative of Sports and Recreation Services aimed at recognising outstanding volunteer service to sport and recreation in the ACT.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mary said "The simple act of saying thanks is often all that is required for those wonderful volunteers to keep them coming back year after year, season after season."
The 14 volunteers recognised for their contribution were each presented with a framed personal profile of their contribution to their chosen sport.
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