Kwinana Volunteer Centre celebrates its 20th anniversary by highlighting its most dedicated volunteers

Kwinana Volunteer Centre celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and Richard and Sue Baldwin have been part of it the entire time. But the dedicated couple are far from alone with their good-natured willingness to give back. Figures released by the City of Kwinana last week show the local volunteer centre has helped connect nearly 7000 people with 1340 organisations over the past two decades. The Baldwins focus their energies on connecting with children at Leda Primary School, where they mentor and show up for students in need of role models. Mr Baldwin said their enthusiasm to give back was sparked by their years in Karratha where they ran a church youth group. Seeing many students “dealing with adult problems”, the Baldwins said they were guided to help by the philosophy, saying “kids don’t care what you know until they know that you care”. The couple, who volunteer through EdConnect Australia, are also board members at the school. Originally launched at the Kwinana Volunteer Resource Centre and housed in the Citizens Advice Bureau of the Kwinana Hub, the Kwinana Volunteer Centre centre now operates from the Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre under the City of Kwinana. Kwinana mayor Peter Feasey said volunteering was crucial to any community’s success and enrichment. “Since its establishment in 2005, the centre has played a vital role in connecting volunteers with meaningful opportunities and strengthening the spirit of community service in Kwinana,” he said. “We reflect on the centre’s contribution to our community in driving positive change, strengthening community bonds and improving the quality of life for countless residents.” Mr Feasey said he was thankful to all volunteers who freely give time and energy to make Kwinana a better place to live.