Awards for helping

By Glen Atwell
VOLUNTEERS at the Cranbourne Information and Support Service (CISS) have been recognised for 30 years of service during National Volunteer Week.
In the same year CISS celebrates three decades of service to the local community, a number of its volunteers were presented with certificates of recognition by Holt MP Anthony Byrne last Thursday.
CISS provides crisis intervention, information and support service to the southern suburbs of the City of Casey, including Cranbourne, Hampton Park, Lyndhurst and the coastal villages.
Their services include resolving information queries, referrals, counselling, emergency relief, advocacy, share accommodation, tax help, connecting volunteers with programs and youth support.
All CISS services are available to people with disabilities.
Mr Byrne highlighted the important role of volunteers in the community by presenting special certificates to volunteers at the CISS office, located at 156 Sladen Street in Cranbourne.
“I would like to thank all our local volunteers and recognise the significant contribution they make to our community,” he said.
“It is volunteers that help protect our homes in emergencies, deliver meals on wheels, assist the less fortunate, organise sports and youth groups and many other activities that make our community a better place to live.”
CISS is managed by a voluntary committee of management and has 22 fully trained volunteer staff, according to manager Leanne Petrides. “Many of the volunteers undertake more than one role within the agency and it is safe to say that without volunteers, this agency would be unable to operate,” Ms Petrides said. National Volunteer Week is this week, 12-18 May.