Australia has a long and proud tradition of volunteering in many aspects of community life such
as education, sport, safety and emergency services, and community-based charities (PM&C 2011).
Volunteers are often the foundation of community services, augmenting the support provided
by formal and informal carers, and formal service providers. As for the volunteers themselves,
many report that volunteering makes them happier, and has health benefits, particularly for older
volunteers (Victorian Health Promotion Foundation 2012).