Karting Volunteers - Everyday People, Extraordinary Contribution
| AKA media | 14 May 2013 |
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Each and every time a karting event is held in Australia there are no less than 30 volunteers working behind the scenes to assist in providing the opportunity for members of the Australian Karting Association (AKA) to race.
These volunteers come from all walks of life, experience, age and professional qualifications while all working in different roles for the benefit of karting in Australia.
With this week (May 13 – 19, 2013) being National Volunteer Week, the AKA would like to take the opportunity to recognise the efforts, time and dedication of the 800 accredited officials, along with the thousands of committee members and other volunteers involved in the sport across the Country.
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Above: AKA volunteers come from all walks of life, experience, age and professional qualification while all working in different roles for the benefit of karting in Australia
pic - AF Images/Budd
“Without volunteers our sport simply wouldn’t be able to function and I’d like to take this opportunity in National Volunteer Week to thank each and every one of our volunteers for their contribution to our sport,” said National AKA President Craig Denton.
“At any race meeting there are up to 30 volunteers working behind the scenes with this number increasing to the vicinity of 75 when it comes to State and National Championships.
“The efforts of all of our volunteers should be recognised not just this week but all throughout the year, I suggest the next time a racer sees someone volunteering their time to benefit the sport a simple word of thanks would go a long way.”
One volunteer who spends much of his time dedicated to the sport of karting is Queenslander Chris Robinson.
Robinson has been involved in the sport for almost 20 years, as a racer early in his career before turning his hand to officiating 12 years ago. He is currently the Series Chief Steward for the CIK Stars of Karting Series and also the Queensland Officials Co-ordinator.
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Above: Chris Robinson has been involved in the sport for almost 20 years
pic - AF Images/Budd
“I was the President of the Gold Coast Club during the mid 90s as well as a racing but after an accident in 1998 I turned my hand to officiating,” said Robinson, who has now officiated at more than 250 race meetings across the country.
“I just love the sport of karting and really enjoy working with the karters from all across the country. I’ve now officiated at four National Championships, more than a dozen State Championships and been involved in the CIK Stars of Karting Series for a number of years, I just love it.
“My philosophy on what I do is that every driver deserves the same rights to the trophy, everyone deserves a fair go – no matter who you are.
“A lot of karters forget the amount of people who are involved in running a meeting, all of these officials, race secretaries, flag marshals etc have given up their time to provide everyone with a good race meeting.”
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Above: At any race meeting there are up to 30 volunteers working behind the scenes
pic - AF Images/Budd
The thousands of volunteers within the AKA are among a group of six million people who volunteer in community and sporting programs across the country.
Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports.
