Every year the Federal and State Governments in Australia honor volunteers for their invaluable contributions to their local communities. This year three outstanding Oromo community members in Melbourne, Australia, received Certificates of Appreciation from the Australian Federal Government for their invaluable contributions to the Oromo community at a special award ceremony held at the Melbourne Bowling Club on Wednesday, 10th June 2009.

The Hon. Lindsay Tanner, MP, the Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation, presented the Certificates of Appreciation to volunteers representing over 30 different community organizations. Mr. Aliye Geleto Anota, the young and vibrant current President of the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria, Inc., Mr. Sura Itafa, the highly dedicated and renown Oromo artist, and Mr. Shangale Ali, one of the founding members of the Oromo Community Association in Australia (founded in 1984) were the recipients of the “Certificate of Appreciation to Australian Volunteers.” These volunteers have been serving the Oromo community in different capacities at different times.

The certificates were signed by the Hon. Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP, the Minister for Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Ursula Stephens, Senator, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, and the Hon. Lindsay Tanner, MP, the Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

The three Australian Oromo honorees expressed their gratitude humbly and vowed to continue their volunteering activities. They said that “recognizing and honoring volunteer’s contribution encourages a sustained commitment to active participation and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives.”

The tremendous work done by many Oromo volunteers in our communities around the globe is immeasurable, and if everyone gives a bit of their time and expertise to our communities, we can make a huge difference. Such recognition encourages more people to volunteer; it can also be inspiration to all Oromo community activists in Australia as well as to those living all over the world.

It is to be remembered that in February 2009 a number of members of the Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria volunteered and participated in various projects undertaken by the Red Cross and SES (the State Emergency Services) to respond to the Black Saturday Bushfires.

Source: Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria, Inc.