Mildura Rural City Council held a special luncheon this week to celebrate the crucial role the hundreds of unpaid carers in the region play in the community every day.
Mildura Mayor, Liam Wood said the luncheon, which celebrates this year’s National Carers Week, was an opportunity to not only personally thank carers, but raise awareness about the vital role they play in the community.
Members of Council’s Mildura Pathways for Carers Walking Group attended the luncheon where they were presented with small gift bags from the Mayor to acknowledge their dedication.
“For me, unpaid carers are unsung heroes in our region, quietly and tirelessly going about their work every day, looking after loved ones or friends, sometimes in quite demanding situations,” Cr Wood said.
“I hope that by meeting up with some of our dedicated carers this week, and through events such as National Carers Week, we can raise awareness about the amazing role they play in our community, as well as thank them for their efforts.
“For me personally, it also provided me with an opportunity to gain a better insight into what these wonderful people do in our community by hearing their stories first-hand.”
Council’s Mildura Pathways for Carers Walking Group is free to join and meets on the third Wednesday of each month at Bobby and Me Café, in Hugh King Drive on the Mildura riverfront.
It aims to provide an opportunity for local carers to connect, spend time outdoors and take a short time-out from their regular caring duties. For more information on the group, contact Council on 03 5018 8100.
The theme for National Carers Week 2022 is Millions of Reasons to Care, highlighting the diversity of carers and their caring roles.
In Victoria alone, there are more than 700,000 carers who look after a family member or friend with a disability, mental illness or an older person with carer needs.
This week’s Carer’s Luncheon was supported by Carers Victoria, Banjo’s Bakery and Chemist Warehouse Mildura City.