Volunteering in the Central Goldfields

Consultation has concluded

volunteer stewarding group, eight people

Volunteers are the lifeblood of communities across Australia – including ours! The reality is that volunteering is changing, and we know that many volunteers, community groups and organisations locally are doing it tough.

To help support you better, and to try and tackle these challenges together, we have partnered with the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre, to bring you three opportunities:

The Changing Face of Volunteering - Something for Everyone Forum

We were thrilled to have over 80 participants at the Changing Face of Volunteering Forum on 30 May 2024.


We are so grateful for the energy, ideas, and dedication you brought. Your participation is what makes our community stronger and more vibrant.


Your insights will shape the future of volunteering in our Shire - so watch this space!

Here’s to all our amazing volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you!


National Volunteer Week - Thank You Evening

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we hosted a thank you evening to recognise and thank our wonderful volunteers for their dedication and contribution.

We were inspired by our Shire's wonderful volunteers, celebrated at our thank you evening last night for National Volunteer Week. For those who were unable to attend, a big THANK YOU! for all of the projects, clubs, committees and community groups you support.

Community Grant Writing Workshops

We know that funding to deliver projects, events and activities can be challenging to access.

That’s why we hosted a series of grant writing workshops to help give you the skills and info you need to write successful applications.

The workshops were led by the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre with support from Council.

WORKSHOP

TOPIC

DATE/VENUE/

TIME

Grant Writing Workshop 1

Preparing your grant

Guest presenter: Lana de Kort

22 April, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 2

7 Pillars of fundraising and Strategic Planning Process

Guest presenters: Heather Carr & Jeannie Clark

29 April, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 3

Developing a Fundraising Strategy

Guest presenter: Jeannie Clark

6 May, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 4

Good Governance

Presenter: Anna de Villiers

13 May, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 5

Writing winning grants

Accessing Available Grants – including Council’s Community Grants Program & Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough, and St Arnaud Community Grants Program.

Guest presenters: David Leathem and Julie Driscoll

20 May, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 6

Pitch Night and Putting Your Grant Application Together

Guest presenters: Julie Driscoll & Jeannie Clark

17 June, 6.30pm



Volunteers are the lifeblood of communities across Australia – including ours! The reality is that volunteering is changing, and we know that many volunteers, community groups and organisations locally are doing it tough.

To help support you better, and to try and tackle these challenges together, we have partnered with the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre, to bring you three opportunities:

The Changing Face of Volunteering - Something for Everyone Forum

We were thrilled to have over 80 participants at the Changing Face of Volunteering Forum on 30 May 2024.


We are so grateful for the energy, ideas, and dedication you brought. Your participation is what makes our community stronger and more vibrant.


Your insights will shape the future of volunteering in our Shire - so watch this space!

Here’s to all our amazing volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you!


National Volunteer Week - Thank You Evening

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we hosted a thank you evening to recognise and thank our wonderful volunteers for their dedication and contribution.

We were inspired by our Shire's wonderful volunteers, celebrated at our thank you evening last night for National Volunteer Week. For those who were unable to attend, a big THANK YOU! for all of the projects, clubs, committees and community groups you support.

Community Grant Writing Workshops

We know that funding to deliver projects, events and activities can be challenging to access.

That’s why we hosted a series of grant writing workshops to help give you the skills and info you need to write successful applications.

The workshops were led by the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre with support from Council.

WORKSHOP

TOPIC

DATE/VENUE/

TIME

Grant Writing Workshop 1

Preparing your grant

Guest presenter: Lana de Kort

22 April, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 2

7 Pillars of fundraising and Strategic Planning Process

Guest presenters: Heather Carr & Jeannie Clark

29 April, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 3

Developing a Fundraising Strategy

Guest presenter: Jeannie Clark

6 May, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 4

Good Governance

Presenter: Anna de Villiers

13 May, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 5

Writing winning grants

Accessing Available Grants – including Council’s Community Grants Program & Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough, and St Arnaud Community Grants Program.

Guest presenters: David Leathem and Julie Driscoll

20 May, 10am to 12noon

Grant Writing Workshop 6

Pitch Night and Putting Your Grant Application Together

Guest presenters: Julie Driscoll & Jeannie Clark

17 June, 6.30pm



Consultation has concluded

  • Volunteering in Australia: A Snapshot

    In 2023, the Federal Government released the National Strategy for Volunteering. It identified:

    • 56.7% of Australians volunteer either formally or informally
    • 83% of volunteer involving organisations need more volunteers
    • The rate of volunteering has been gradually declining from 1/3 adults in 2010 to ¼ in 2022.
    • A significant mismatch exists between the volunteering opportunities being offered and what volunteers are interested in.

    You can find out more and read the strategy here.

  • Volunteering Survey - thank you!

    In July last year, we invited our community to participate in a survey to better understand what volunteers need.

    Thank you to the 75 residents who took the time to share their thoughts.

    You told us there was a need to:

    • Talk about volunteering in a new way
    • Make it easy for people of all backgrounds and ages to get involved
    • Help people who are at risk of social isolation to benefit from volunteering experiences
    • Focus on creating a great experience for volunteers
    • Provide support and guidance to groups to adapt to changing expectations of volunteers

  • How does volunteering make you feel?

    We asked some of our local volunteers what motivated them to be volunteers in the Central Goldfields Shire community.

    Here's what they had to say:

    • “Volunteering at the soccer club is really energising. As someone who is new to town, being involved in local sport has helped me to feel part of the community and it is nice to be able to make a contribution.” Garry George – President, Maryborough Soccer Club Committee
    • “Volunteering gives you a real sense of connection to your local community. It’s great to be able to make a difference.” Carlene Dowie – Carisbrook Football Netball Club and The Carisbrook Mercury
    • “For me, volunteering is about being community minded. I get much enjoyment out of giving back to the community and helping out local families.” Drew Garraway – Adelaide Lead Hall Committee and Talbot Town Hall Committee of Management
    • “Volunteering is the opportunity to support my community in a very real and selfless way. I love offering my community an open hand of friendship and support and appreciate seeing for myself the direct impact this support has on the lives of those I help.” Kath Ryan – Dunolly Recreation Reserves Committee of Management, Deledio Reserve Sports Committee and Dunolly Hospital Auxiliary