• National Volunteer Week under way
• More than half a million volunteers contribute billions of dollars to WA economy

As National Volunteer Week gets under way, Seniors and Volunteering Minister Robyn McSweeney has expressed her deep gratitude to Western Australia's army of more than 600,000 volunteers for their tireless and inspirational work.

"With so many West Australians volunteering many of us would encounter a volunteer nearly every day, whether it is a lifesaver, sports coach, literacy tutor, a hospital visitor or a fire and emergency volunteer," Mrs McSweeney said.

"This week especially I ask the community to stop and thank a volunteer for the work they do in our community, usually without expecting anything in return."

In Western Australia volunteers contribute more than 288 million hours annually, estimated to be worth $9.4billion to the WA economy last year.

"Volunteers are the backbone of many organisations and through their work they build stronger and more compassionate communities," the Minister said.

The State Government has demonstrated its commitment to these remarkable people through its Vital Volunteering Strategy 2011-2016, which also aims to encourage West Australians to volunteer at a local level.

An important part of the strategy is to recognise and honour WA volunteers.

"Last year the Government introduced a 50-year service badge to honour people who had volunteered for half a century or more with the one organisation," Mrs McSweeney said.

"What is tremendous is more than 200 badges have been awarded. I know there are more of these amazing people out there and encourage organisations to nominate long-serving volunteers for this year's badge presentations."

The State Government also makes up to $1,000 available to community organisations each year to host Thank-a-Volunteer-Day events.

In 2011-12 more than $700,000 was provided to Volunteer Development Services to strengthen volunteering within community organisations.

The State Government is also sponsoring tomorrow night's National Volunteer Week gala dinner where WA's volunteer of the year awards will be presented.

Fact File

• National Volunteer Week runs from May 14-20
• Last year more than 600,000 volunteers contributed an estimated $9.4b to WA community
• 50 Year Volunteer Service Badge nominations open, more information at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 6500

Families across Perth gathered to take part in an outdoor modern-day treasure hunt and at a family fun day in Willetton, doing the most important thing a family can do, spending time together.

"We are lucky in this wonderful State that families have the opportunity to spend time together at places that cost little or nothing to access, including our beautiful parks and beaches," Mrs McSweeney said.

"I would encourage all WA families to use families' week as a reason to do an activity together they wouldn't usually do."

The Minister said it was important to acknowledge what the family unit means to a community and the crucial role families played in influencing a child's development and learning.

"Many of a child's first experiences happen at home, in the surrounds of their family - this is where a child learns, grows and plays," she said.

"This year's theme is 'families make all the difference: helping kids to grow and learn' and the week is an ideal opportunity for West Australians to think about what their family means to them."

Parents, children and staff at Willetton Child Care Centre joined Mrs McSweeney for a morning of family fun including face painting, a petting zoo and a sausage sizzle.

The Minister said the Liberal-National Government acknowledged the important role centres such as Willetton played in working with families to build positive early childhood experiences.

"It's important that day care centres provide a home away from home for young children and are a place where they feel safe and secure," she said.

"The State Government continues to support community-based child care centres, like Willetton, that recognise the importance of the family unit."

Earlier in the day, Mrs McSweeney took part in a modern-day treasure hunt, launching National Families Week in Western Australia with a geocaching event in Burswood Park.

National Families Week this year will take place from May 15-21 and is Australia's premier annual celebration which draws attention to the importance of families.

Minister's office - 6552 6500

• Families Week launches with geocaching treasure hunt
• Adventurous WA families encouraged to come to Burswood playground on Saturday, May 12 at 9.30am

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney will strap on her treasure-hunting shoes tomorrow morning and join more than 200 people taking part in a modern-day treasure hunt.

The geocaching hunt at Burswood Park playground marks the start of 2012 National Families Week and combines technology with outdoor adventure, and Western Australian families are encouraged to take part.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt where participants use a smart phone or dedicated GPS receiver as a compass to search for geocache 'treasures' hidden at various locations.

There are more than 4,500 geocaches hidden all over Perth, but specific coordinates for tomorrow's Geocaching Fun Morning will be provided on GPS devices lent to families.

"Geocaching is a great activity for families to enjoy outdoors together and with thousands of geocaches located across the city, there is a geocache located within walking distance of most homes, and families only need an adventurous spirit and a smart phone to take part," Mrs McSweeney said.

"It can be a challenge for families to find space in their busy schedules to spend time together and to ensure children have enough time outdoors and away from computer and TV screens.

"There is so much to be gained from outdoor play, including stimulating the imagination, sharpening the senses and reconnecting with nature. I encourage all families across the State to find a way to celebrate Families' Week together outdoors, whether it is geocaching or going for a bike ride, a swim at the beach or just simply a walk down to the local park."

The geocaching event is being run by the Department for Communities in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation and Nature Play WA to celebrate National Families Week.

Fact File

• The Geocaching fun morning starts at 9.30am on May 12 at Burswood Park playground
• Places are limited
• To register: http://www.trybooking.com/BJLK (a $10 non-refundable deposit is required)
• For more information on Families Week Geocaching Fun Morning go to: http://www.communities.wa.gov.au
• National Families Week runs May 15-21, 2012
• Families not attending the event can enjoy geocaching in their own time at any location. For more information go to http://www.geocaching.com
• There are more than 1.7 million geocaches hidden around the world

Minister's office - 6552 6500

• WA parents can take part in a new online parenting trial

Western Australian parents are being invited to test a new online parenting program, the first of its kind in WA.

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney said an online version of the internationally renowned Triple-P Positive Parenting Program had been developed in partnership with the State Government's Parenting WA service and the University of Queensland.

This new online program offered parents ideas on how to build positive relationships with children aged two to nine years of age and manage misbehaviour. It is targeted at parents who might not be able to attend parenting programs because of time, distance or cost constraints and other commitments.

Mrs McSweeney urged parents to take part in the program.

"Online parenting programs offer yet another option for parents, who might find doing a course at home in their own time more convenient," she said.

"If the trial is successful, the online parenting program will be another resource offered by the Government to support parents and carers through the different stages of parenting."

The Triple-P online parenting course consists of eight modules to be completed over eight weeks.

Another parenting program on offer to WA parents is Triple-P@Home which is available to those wanting to undertake a step-by-step parenting course supported by weekly phone consultations with Parenting WA consultants.

Fact File

• Parents interested in the Triple-P online trial or the Triple-P@Home program should call 1800 654 432
• Further information on the trial is available at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au
• WA parents can also access a free 24/7 Parenting WA line, a Parenting WA library and group or individual family support from parenting co-ordinators throughout the State. Phone 1800 654 432

Minister's office - 6552 6500

• School Volunteer Program moves to new offices in Maylands
• Minister congratulates program for its contribution to youth mentoring reform

The popular School Volunteer Program, which works to guide and inspire more than 2,000 Western Australian students from kindergarten to year 12, will be relaunched in Perth today.

Seniors and Volunteering Minister Robyn McSweeney congratulated the 1,500 school volunteers for their important and invaluable work with the State's young people.

"The School Volunteer Program is a vital service that allows school students to benefit from valuable mentoring by experienced adults and builds strong intergenerational links," Mrs McSweeney said.

"The program uses community and corporate volunteers to support and encourage students to achieve their academic potential and improve their life skills.

"Everyone benefits from this mentoring relationship."

The program will be relaunched at its new headquarters in Maylands tonight by the Minister and former Australian Governor-General and program patron Major General Michael Jeffery AC AO (Mil) CVO MC (Retd).

Mrs McSweeney will also co-present the Des Heenan Award for excellence at the launch with Major General Jeffery.

The School Volunteer Program has also contributed to the State Government's Western Australian Youth Mentoring Reform Project.

Fact File

• The School Volunteer Program was established in 1991
• It runs in about 230 schools, with 1,560 volunteers mentoring 2,000 young people
• The Western Australian Youth Mentoring Project is part of a four-year national partnership project with the Federal Government to reform youth mentoring in WA

Minister's office - 6552 6500