"This year we are making some changes to how we recognise volunteers by providing the opportunity for all clubs and volunteer organisations to nominate people from within their group who have made a significant contribution," Mayor Cr Paul Hooper said.

"This gives groups a chance to say thank you to the people who are the lifeblood of their organisation. All volunteers who attend the event will receive a commemorative pin; however, those who are nominated will also be presented with a certificate of appreciation for their hard work."

Many volunteers may be unaware that their activities are considered to be volunteering. For instance, a family member who provides care to an elderly person or someone who is a member of a sports club committee may not consider themselves 'volunteers'.

Volunteering itself can mean different things to different people.

"We would like to recognise people who take part in any form of volunteering," Cr Hooper said.

The four most common areas of volunteering in order are sporting and recreation, community/welfare including emergency management, religious groups, children and youth work.

Volunteerism continues to increase in Australia with 6.1 million people identifying volunteer work in the last census. By adding the value of organised, unorganised and travel together, volunteering was worth about $7.1 billion to the Victorian economy in 1992, growing to $16.4 billion by 2006.

What many may not know is that the average age of Volunteers is between 35 and 54.

"There are people in our municipality doing some amazing work across all age groups, putting in countless hours of their own time," Cr Hooper said.

"They help to make Ararat Rural City the fantastic place it is to live. We would be delighted if we could see a range of groups represented as part of this year's celebrations."

Volunteers Week is from May 11-15. If you would like to say thank you to someone you know for their volunteer work you can contact Ararat Rural City Council for further information or send their name, contact details and the reason you would like to nominate this person to Angela Hunt at PO Box 246, Ararat, 3377 or email ahunt@ararat.vic.gov.au Nominations close on May 1 2015.

Volunteer presentations will be held at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre on Monday May 11 from 6.30pm - 8pm.

For more information regarding Volunteers Week contact Ararat Rural City Council Community Development Department on (03) 5355 0251.