The Goodwill Partnership Volunteer Program involved 165 volunteers enthusiastically representing Plan during the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. These remarkable volunteers sold thousands of wristbands around the city at five Commonwealth Games sites. To complement this, many assisted Plan staff in educating the public of Plan’s work, through a multimedia educational marquee located at Interact on Birrarung Marr.

A special mention also goes to the Plan volunteers who became the operational stewards of the Luminarium down on St.Kilda Beach, one of Festival 2006’s star attractions. This structure raised thousands of dollars for Plan in gold coin donations due to the hard work of these volunteers.

Some interesting facts about the Plan volunteer workforce

• Gender Balance:  77% Female  23% Male 
• Oldest Volunteer:  71 years of age 
• No. of Interstate Volunteers:  4 – (1 x SA, 1 x QLD, 2 x NSW)
• No. under 18 years:  36 –  (22% of the workforce) 
• Total Hours Worked:  Approx. 1,985 hours over 12 days across 6 event sites 
• Total Meals eaten:  334 meals  

All volunteers were catered for well by Melbourne 2006 and private catering company Alexcatering, and over 100 volunteers enjoyed the privilege of free tickets to attend the Dress Rehearsal of the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on Friday 10th March.

Plan also wishes to thank Success Technologies for being Plan’s training partner prior to the Games, and Nucolorvue for producing the wonderful uniforms worn by the workforce.

A sincere thank you is extended to all involved in the Goodwill Volunteer Program. Plan is now working to create new opportunities for these volunteers to remain engaged in the organisation and ‘Be a part of it’!