A key advisory group on volunteering has been strengthened with the appointment of 15 people with skills and experience in areas including education, sport, youth, health and welfare.

The Volunteer Ministerial Advisory Group was established as an integral part of the Advancing the Community Together (ACT) partnership launched in 2003.

Minister for Volunteers Ian Hunter said the refocus as a Ministerial Advisory Group gives it a clear channel of communication to the Government and reflects the strategic focus set out at the 2011 State Volunteer Congress last October.

"The new advisory group will be a vital link to ensuring the success of the partnership agreement between the community and Government." Minister Hunter said.

"I'm pleased to announce that Deputy Speaker Tony Piccolo has agreed to chair the group. Tony brings valuable government, community and business experience to the role.

"This new advisory group will help to strengthen the important partnership between the South Australian Government and the volunteer community.

"Volunteers play an absolutely critical part in so many areas of our community and their contribution to the State's economy is valued at around $5 billion a year as well as the incalculable benefits they bring to the health and well being of the people and the communities they serve.

"South Australia's Strategic Plan includes a target to maintain the high level of volunteer participation and I want to continue to foster that spirit of participation and recognise the contribution of volunteers."

Minister Hunter officially welcomed the membership of the new Ministerial Advisory Group at a reception Parliamentary Reception last night.

The new membership will formally meet for the first time in late February.

Ministerial Advisory Group on Volunteering 

Chair:

• Tony Piccolo MP      Member for Light

Members:

• Claudia Cream has over 30 years experience working with communities and 28 years in the legal profession. She is a founder and member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of SA Inc.
• Michael Feszczak is a Volunteer Development Officer with the City of Onkaparinga.
• Emma  Gillett is a Volunteer with the City of Onkaparinga and a Youth Peer Educator with the YWCA. 
• John Haren is the State Manager of Orana which supports over 550 people with disabilities to live and work within their local community, providing employment, accommodation and respite services.
• Georgia Heath is the Manager of the Women's Information Service, Office for Women.
• Sabah Izzett is the General Manager, People & Culture, with St John Ambulance Australia SA
• Con Katsambis is the Manager, People Relations for Qantas.
• Sophie Larsen will represent youth and student interests and is Employment & Volunteer Coordinator with Adelaide University.
• David Mitchell is the President of Trees for Life and a Management Committee member of the Friends of Parks.
• Lisel O'Dwyer Academic background in Social Science and prepared a report on The Economic Value of Unpaid Work (Caring and Volunteering) for the Department of Families and Communities.
• Evelyn O'Loughlin is the Chief Executive Officer of Volunteering SA and NT.
• Jan Sutherland is the Chief Executive Officer of SA Sports Federation and has experience of working on Ministerial advisory groups.
• Wayne Thorley brings to the group his skills in leadership and advocacy for the volunteer sector, in particular with the emergency services.
• Sonya Weiser is the President of Women in Innovation and Technology.
• Mark Whitfield from Whyalla is the Executive Manager of the Spencer Gulf Rural Health School.