Volunteers at Grampians Community Health have joined millions of volunteers Australia wide by contributing to their local community.

Jill Miller, chief executive officer of Grampians Community Health said volunteers have made an extraordinary contribution locally.

"Our volunteers provide Do Care visiting and Talk Listen Care visiting, they drive community members in our community car, support the Welcome Program and Wellbeing Resource Centre, giving generously of their time and skills.

"People in our community benefit from social inclusion, emotional support and feel less isolated.

"Without these special people we couldn't run these programs," she said.

Grampians Community Health Volunteer co-ordinators acknowledge volunteers who have been able to attend training courses and celebration days, and fitting this into their very busy personal schedules.

Volunteers participated in workshops including Communication and Caring for Yourself and Cultural Awareness.

Volunteers also had the benefit of being involved in Harmony Day, and assisting with the Seniors Week Staying Healthy and Active expo.

International Volunteer Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1985, and is commemorated on December 5 every year. It is about telling the world what volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations achieve for peace and sustainable development.

Grampians Community Health would like to use International Volunteer Day as an opportunity to thank all of our 80 volunteers for the wonderful contributions that they have made to people in our community.

We really appreciate their dedication and commitment, and know that each volunteer has the reward of making a difference to someone.

For further information about volunteering with Grampians Community Health please phone 53587400 if you would like to make a difference.