National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest annual celebration of the incredible contributions made by volunteers was held from 19-25 May. The 2025 theme “Connecting Communities,” highlighted the incredible power of volunteering to bring people together, build relationships and create stronger, more inclusive communities.
In 2022, an estimated 3.4 million Australians took on non-playing roles in sport and active recreation and over 90% of them were volunteers. From coaches, officials and team managers to administrators and committee members, volunteers are the backbone of community sport. Quite simply, sport wouldn’t happen without them.
A huge thank you to the passionate and dedicated volunteers across the Central Highlands who give their time and energy to support sport and active recreation in our region. Your contributions make a real difference, not just to the games and activities we love, but to the lives of everyone involved.
Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club
A shining local example of “Connecting Communities” is the Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club, a public course run largely by volunteers who pour their time, energy and passion into making it a place for everyone.
Thanks to their dedication, the course has undergone an incredible transformation. The fairways are lush, the greens are among the region’s fastest, and the club is thriving, all thanks to tireless volunteer efforts.
And their impact extends well beyond the 18th hole.
From junior development to women’s programs, they’re making golf more accessible than ever. Among the many who make a difference is Dean Cowan, who has managed the club’s Junior Pennant team for the past eight years. Under Dean’s guidance, the team has reached five finals and took out the title in 2019. Dean’s leadership and the team’s success perfectly captures the spirit of the club – passion, perseverance and pride in community.
Adding to this success, seven Junior Pennant players have gone on to represent Ballarat District Golf at the Victorian Junior Country Regions, a testament to the club’s supportive, development-focused environment.
To all the volunteers at Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club – thank you. You’ve created more than just a great course, you’ve built a welcoming community where people of all ages and backgrounds can play, grow and connect through golf.