A volunteer has been instrumental in setting up an insect collection at the Forestry School, which has helped establish links with national and international organisations working in tropical forestry. Our staff enjoy working with Australian Volunteers. This has helped nurture relationships and foster mutual understanding and respect. Dr Sanga says the volunteering concept has had far reaching consequences for the college, the Solomon Islanders and the volunteers themselves. It has allowed us to maintain an international flavour, and helped us establish long-lasting links with other institutions.
Volunteers are excellent ambassadors for Australia.
They are the human face of the Australian aid program. What Solomon Islanders know and think of Australia is best determined by what they know and learn of Australians. Volunteers, and the way they live their lives, is one of the bases for how we regard the country and its people.