International Volunteer Day Wellington
On December 6 under a rain cloud laden sky up to 150 volunteers, refugee commu
nity members and their families congregated on the Dell at the Wellington Botanical Gardens for the Wellington area Community picnic.
Refugee Services staff, volunteers and community members came from Porirua, the Hutt Valley and Wellington for an afternoon of music, dancing, lolly scrambles, free ice-cream, games and the odd drop of moisture from the heavens. 
“This is such an enjoyable event that gives us the chance to acknowledge the unsung heroes of our organisation; the volunteers, as we celebrate International Volunteer Day (December 5) and also the remarkable journey that our former refugees have made to arrive in New Zealand,” says Peter Scott, Refugee Services Central Regional Manager.
This is the third year that this event has been celebrated in the Dell, and it grows from strength to strength.
Last year a 'memory book' was created and added to at this year's event. Here are some of the comments:
"It is a privilege to have met many refugees in my role as a school teacher. I wish I had come earlier today to enjoy so much more of the music you so generously shared to those around."
"Lovely to share this day with all of the wonderful volunteers and wonderful refugees. Welcome to Wellington."
"We are refugees from Myanmar. We came to New Zealand in 2006 and we feel very safe to be here and to know our human rights and that we can live in peace in accordance with our human rights."
