Vision volunteers celebrated
Vision Australia's Central Coast branch celebrated the hard work and dedication of its team of 40 volunteers, including Umina resident Nathalie Gatt, during National Volunteer Week, May 11 to 17.
Ms Gatt volunteers with Vision Australia as recreation coordinator helping organise activities that help vision impaired persons to lead healthy and balanced lives.
She also makes home visits to help with the setup and use of various gadgets that are used to help the vision impaired around the home.
"A lot of the vision impaired feel isolated.
"They can't experience life in the same way," Ms Gatt said.
"This isolation and the challenges of day-to-day living with vision impairment can lead to depression and other medical problems.
"Access to services can be a real issue."
Ms Gatt said she was very passionate about her volunteer work and the joy it provides.
"This is something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl and it is very rewarding to be able to help them lead a normal life," Ms Gatt said.
"Two years ago I moved up to Umina from Sydney, and it was very important that I could continue to do this work."
Vision Australia chief executive officer Mr Gerard Menses said that given the harsh economic environment caused by the global economic crisis, the opportunity to celebrate Vision Australia's 4500 volunteers has taken on extra significance.
"Vision Australia volunteers contribute to every aspect of our organisation from producing, editing and distributing the local Talking Newspaper to providing administration support and a personal reading service," Mr Menses said.
"They also take part in public speaking and raising essential funds to support Vision Australia's services.
"Our team of highly committed volunteers enables us to continue to provide high-quality support while managing our resources for a future when our services will be in greater demand."
Scott Hastings, 14 May 2009
Interviewee: Nathalie Gatt, Umina
Press release, 6 May 2009
Gerard Menses, Vision Australia