International Volunteer Day barbecue for Whanganui volunteers

International Volunteer Day barbecue at Kowhai Park, from left, Lance Patterson, Shem, Lesley and Kevin Torrey with Robert Martin on the barbecue. Photo / Bevan Conley

Whanganui's volunteers were treated to a special celebration in honour of International Volunteers Day.

Volunteer Whanganui organised a barbecue and Secret Santa at Kowhai Park on Tuesday.

Volunteer Whanganui manager Sandra Rickey said the barbecue was held at Duncan Pavilion last year, but they decided to hold it at Kowhai Park this year.

About 15 people - mostly from People First, St John and Volunteer Whanganui's raffle team - turned up.

Ms Rickey said Whanganui was particularly well served for volunteers.

"We have 853 volunteers working across 99 organisations."

Volunteer Whanganui has been running since 2001.

Ms Rickey said it was an interesting time for Volunteer Whanganui, as it welcomed four new members to its six-member board.

"We've had four board members step down. Two had come to the end of their term, one left Whanganui and the fourth decided to serve a three-year term."

The new board members are Sandra Terewi, Elliot Copeland and Russell Goldsworthy.

"We have a really good mix of talents," Ms Rickey said.