Locals recognised for overseas aid work

02 April 2009 Locals recognised for overseas aid work

Six Sunshine Coast residents have been presented with certificates from Member for Fisher Peter Slipper, to commemorate voluntary service in developing countries.

The local residents have spent time in various Pacific Island nations, assisting with projects from building schools through to teaching and assisting local villagers with essential equipment for fishing and the like.

"The local volunteers are among those many Australians who have travelled to countries that are not as developed as our own to assist them in improving their quality of life," Mr Slipper said.

"They often have to deal with harsh weather, difficult terrain and cultural differences, but they soldier on because they are determined and committed to making a difference. I congratulate them for their service."

The local certificate recipients are: Ron Strong (Solomon Islands), Errol and Paula Richardson (Solomon Islands), Judy and Alan Morrison (Tonga) and Peter Pamment (Tonga).

The Australian Government has provided support to Australian volunteers since the 1960s. Since then, more than 12,000 volunteers have been placed overseas with government funding.

"The various aid programmes help to organise local volunteers with particular skills and abilities and place them in locations that have a particular need," Mr Slipper said.

"Our local volunteers are an important part of the overall campaign to help reduce poverty, encourage sustainable development and to develop better cross-cultural understanding of developing nations."

Graphics to the right:

1. Local volunteers recognised recently by Member for Fisher Peter Slipper for their aid work in developing countries are, from left, Ron Strong (Golden Beach), Errol and Paula Richardson (Maleny), Peter Slipper, Judy and Alan Morrison (Little Mountain) and Peter Pamment (Maleny).

2. Mr Ron Strong of Golden beach was among six local residents to be presented a certificate of appreciation from local Member for Fisher Peter Slipper for foreign aid work. Mr Strong worked in the Solomon Islands.

3. Paula and Errol Richardson of Maleny were each presented with a volunteer certificate from Member for Fisher Peter Slipper for their foreign aid work in the Solomon Islands.

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Publish Date: 03 Apr 09

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