Volunteering Australia (VA) has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer for the national peak body and also His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) as VA’s new Chief Patron.

Board President, Tim Jackson, announced the appointment of Ms Adrienne Picone to take on the CEO role after the current CEO Brett Williamson finishes in December.

Mr Jackson said, “After a very comprehensive recruitment process, the Volunteering Australia Board is pleased to secure Adrienne for the role. Adrienne has been CEO of Volunteering Tasmania for 7 years and has been a great contributor to many significant Volunteering Tasmania and Volunteering Australia initiatives. Adrienne has extensive knowledge, management and leadership experience in the community and volunteering sector.”

Adrienne believes her knowledge and experience working as the CEO of Volunteering Tasmania holds her in good stead leading the national peak body.

Ms Picone will take over from Brett Williamson who has been in the position for just over 3 years. In July, Brett announced his intention to return home to his family base Brisbane.

“In welcoming Adrienne to the important role the Board also certainly wishes to acknowledge and thank Brett for his tireless and effective contributions to Volunteering Australia and volunteering during his tenure,” Mr Jackson said.

The appointment of Adrienne is the next stage in VA's journey, one that began just over 3 years ago, with the relocation of VA headquarters from Melbourne to Canberra.

Mr Jackson said, “We have hosted 2 successful National Conferences, the 2014 World Volunteer Conference, reviewed the definition of volunteering, completed the 2016 State of Volunteering Report, updated the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and grown the annual National Volunteer Week celebrations. Just as importantly, Volunteering Australia has fostered extremely collaborative work with the State and Territory volunteering peaks, government and the broader sector.”

“Volunteering Australia has also undertaken a review of its Strategic Plan which aims to build on the foundations laid over recent years.”

“These are exciting times for Volunteering Australia and the volunteering sector as a whole,” Mr Jackson said.

Ms Picone, who is currently travelling to participate in the IAVE World Volunteer Conference in Mexico said she is delighted to be entrusted with the role at Volunteering Australia and helping to advance volunteerism.

Of the Chief Patron appointment, Tim Jackson said, "The VA Board is delighted the Governor-General has accepted our invitation to become VA’s Chief Patron. It is an absolute honour for VA to be accepted for patronage by His Excellency and to be recognised as an organisation with national significance. This is an endorsement of the importance of volunteering and recognition that volunteering makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy and society. We are excited about working with the Governor-General to advance volunteering in the Australian community, while continuing to acknowledge and celebrate the generous service of our nation’s volunteers.” 

Mr Jackson thanked former Patron Margaret Bell for her service to VA, “It is with great regret that VA has accepted Margaret Bell’s resignation as VA’s Patron. VA expresses its deepest thanks to Margaret for her significant contribution to VA, as well as her ongoing commitment to strengthening volunteering in Australia.” 

From Voluteering Australia Media Releases on 19 and 27 October 2016