Clive Hodge and Mary Anderson at the Canowindra Volunteers Barbecue.

Cabonne’s shire councillors will be donning aprons and chucking a few extra shrimps on the barbie over the next couple of weeks to thank the shire’s selfless volunteers.

Hailed as the “backbone of the shire,” the first batch were guests of honour at a barbecue at the Canowindra Men’s Shed today — the first of eight such events to thank all those who give up their time to serve their communities.

“Just about everyone I know in Canowindra is a volunteer in one way or another and this is just a small way that we can express our thanks,” said today’s short-order cook, Cr Kevin Walker.

“I know most rural communities are the same as Canowindra – they wouldn’t function without volunteers. And councils and governments would struggle to survive without the support of volunteers.

“Even this event wouldn’t have happened without the help of the Men’s Shed members who provided the venue and volunteered to operate the barbecue.”

Mayor Bob Dowling said there were few aspects of life in Australia that did not involve volunteers.

‘’They are the backbone of rural communities. No governments, federal, state or local, could carry out the scope of services as well,’’ he said.

“For that reason, Cabonne Council has decided to personally thank our volunteers in a small way by holding events to publicly recognise their contribution.”

The schedule of events includes:
Saturday 19 November 2011: Manildra Golf Club (Cr John Farr);

Sunday November 20:Molong Recreation Ground lunchtime barbecue (Crs Cosper and Bleakley);Yeoval Banjo Paterson Park 12.30pm (Cr Dowling);Cumnock Crossroads Building 4pm (Crs Dowling, Wilcox);

Thursday November 24:Cudal Men’s Shed with catering by Cudal Lions Club (Cr Dean);

Saturday November 26:Eugowra Apex Park 9am (Cr Hyde and Cr Dean with assistance from local schools).

Tuesday December 13:Mullion Creek Public School 5.30pm (Cr Culverson).

Ned Webb (left) and Cr Kevin Walker serve volunteer Eric Earsman