August has been a valuable month for connecting with communities across the Northern Territory and hearing directly from the people who make volunteering happen.
Our recent visit to Alice Springs provided a wonderful opportunity to engage with the Central Australian volunteering sector. Our team attended both the Seniors Expo and Disability Expo, promoting volunteering as a pathway to connection, participation and inclusion. We were also pleased to attend the Henley on Todd volunteer induction and recognise the volunteers who help bring one of Alice Springs’ most iconic community events to life.
A particular highlight was meeting with the Alice Springs Volunteer Coordinator Network. Hearing directly from local volunteer managers about workforce pressures, volunteer engagement and opportunities for greater place-based collaboration is incredibly valuable. These conversations help ensure our support and advocacy reflect the different experiences and needs of communities across the Territory.
We also celebrated National Youth Volunteer Week, recognising the energy, leadership and contribution of young volunteers under this year’s theme, Your Year to Lead. It was fantastic to see young Territorians sharing their volunteering stories and demonstrating the many ways young people are already creating positive change in their communities. Our participation in the CDU Volunteer Expo provided another opportunity to connect with students and highlight volunteering as a pathway to new skills, experiences and meaningful community connections.
Looking ahead, I’m excited that planning is underway for our Learning & Development Roadshow in late October. We’ll be bringing tailored learning, practical conversations and networking opportunities closer to members, volunteer coordinators and partners, with a focus on responding to the issues that matter locally.
Thank you to everyone who welcomed and shared their experiences with our team this month. These connections are essential as we continue working to support, grow and celebrate volunteering across the Northern Territory.
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
National Youth Volunteer Week Campaign
As part of National Youth Volunteer Week 2026, Volunteering NT celebrated the theme "Your Year to Lead" by showcasing the inspiring stories of young volunteers from across Darwin and the Northern Territory. Through a series of social media profiles, we highlighted the passion, leadership, and positive impact these young people are making in their communities.
By sharing their volunteering journeys, achievements, and motivations, the campaign recognised their valuable contributions while inspiring other young Territorians to step forward, get involved, and discover their own potential to lead through volunteering.
Check the stories on our social media.
CPD Program News
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plays an important role in strengthening volunteer leadership across our sector. It gives people the chance to reflect on their practice, build their skills, recognise the learning they are already doing, and stay connected to current ideas and good practice.
VSA&NT warmly congratulate the four CPD trial participants from SA and the NT who recently achieved CPD recognition through VSA&NT and the Centre for Volunteering.
This achievement recognises their commitment to ongoing learning, professional growth and reflective practice in volunteer leadership. It also means they can use the post-nominal PLV, Professional Leader of Volunteers, for the next 12 months.
One of the most exciting outcomes of the trial was the diversity of participants. The four successful candidates came from community services, health, emergency services and local government, showing that whatever your volunteer leadership role or organisation, CPD provides an opportunity to showcase your commitment to professional development and excellence in volunteer leadership.
VSA&NT looks forward to building on the learnings from the trial and continuing to support professional development opportunities for volunteer leaders across South Australia and the Northern Territory. Watch this space for more exciting CPD updates!
Membership renewal notices have now been sent to all members, and invoices will be issued throughout this week. We encourage you to keep an eye on your inbox and ensure your membership details are up to date.
Volunteering NT continues to work alongside volunteer-involving organisations to strengthen volunteering across the Northern Territory.
As a member of Volunteering NT, you are part of Territory-wide movement that empowers people to belong, contribute and thrive through volunteering.
Looking ahead, over the next 12 months, members can look forward to:
A new members-only portal with exclusive resources, tools, templates and benefits.
Expanded learning and development opportunities, including a regional roadshow.
New member networking events to connect, share ideas and learn from others in the sector.
Building the recognition and profile of volunteering that contributes to future-focused sustainability for the sector.
These initiatives reflect our commitment to delivering greater value to members, with more details to be shared in the coming months.
If you have any questions about your renewal, membership benefits, or payment options, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We're here to help and look forward to continuing our partnership with you.
Volunteering NT was pleased to attend the Alice Springs Seniors Expo 2026, held on 12 August at the Alice Springs Convention Centre. The event brought together seniors, community organisations, service providers and government agencies for a day of connection, information sharing and wellbeing activities.
With more than 40 exhibitors, the Expo provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to learn about local services, support programs and ways to stay connected in the community.
As an exhibitor, Volunteering NT promoted volunteering as a meaningful way for senior Territorians to remain active, connected and engaged, while highlighting opportunities available through local volunteer-involving organisations.
Alice Springs Disability Expo
The Alice Springs Disability Expo 2026 provided an excellent opportunity for Volunteering NT to engage with the disability community, promote inclusive volunteering opportunities, and strengthen relationships with local organisations and service providers. Through conversations with attendees and stakeholders, Volunteering NT increased awareness of volunteering pathways and identified opportunities for future collaboration that support inclusion, participation, and community connection across Central Australia.
Alice Springs Volunteer Coordinator Network
The network meeting provided an opportunity to hear directly from local volunteer coordinators about workforce pressures, volunteer engagement challenges and opportunities for place-based collaboration. Key themes included the need for practical support, stronger local connections between organisations, and targeted capability-building that reflects the Alice Springs context.
There were 4 attendees from a mix of event-based and formal organisation-based volunteer coordinators. They acted as representatives of a group of approximately 15 who met the previous month and identified key topics and issues to be conveyed at our meeting.
Volunteering SA&NT is bringing the Learning & Development Roadshow to the Northern Territory this October, with workshops taking place in Alice Springs and Darwin.
Designed specifically for volunteer managers, coordinators, leaders and volunteer-involving organisations, these interactive workshops will focus on practical learning, discussion around current volunteering challenges and opportunities, and valuable peer networking.
We're inviting volunteer managers, coordinators, and organisations from across the Northern Territory to join us and help explore the issues, trends and opportunities shaping volunteering in our communities.
Share ideas, learn practical strategies and connect with others working in the volunteer sector.
Sessions are free for VSA&NT Members, with places limited.
Registrations are now open.
Secure your place today and join the conversation.
For more learning and development opportunities from across state and territory Volunteering Peak Bodies, check out the training page on theVolunteering Gateway!
YWCA Australia and Anglicare NT are seeking Expressions of Interest for the Northern Territory Homelessness Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG).
The LEAG will bring together people from across the NT who have lived experience of homelessness to help shape policies, programs and services, ensuring community voices are heard where decisions are made.
Members will receive training, mentoring and ongoing support.
Expressions of interest have been extended until the end of August.
Welcome to the Volunteering SA&NT CHSP Podcast Series.
We hope you find the podcasts useful and enjoyable to listen to. These podcasts have been created for volunteers, volunteer managers/coordinators and other workforce in aged care provider organisations. Please feel free to copy and share the information and links below.
To give feedback about any of the podcasts, use the following link:
Annemarie Hall, Learning and Development Lead at Volunteering SA&NT, explores how volunteer learning and development in aged care can move beyond compliance to empower volunteers, enhance support for older people, and foster a culture of high-quality care.
Justice Connect is leading the Unlock DGR campaign, calling for reform of Australia’s Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) system, which it argues is outdated, overly complex and prevents around half of registered charities from accessing tax-deductible donations and philanthropic funding.
The campaign encourages organisation with and without DGR status to get involved and advocate to government that charities and communities across Australia want a fairer, simpler system.
How you can get involved
Endorsing the campaign
Contacting local MPs and relevant Ministers to advocate for DGR reform, sharing their experiences of obtaining or being denied DGR status, and encouraging sector partners to support the call for a fairer system.
There is a useful template to help with writing to relevant Ministers.
On 6 August 2026, Volunteering NT participated in the CDU Volunteer Expo, connecting with students and showcasing the many benefits and opportunities available through volunteering. The expo provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with volunteer-involving organisations, learn about ways to contribute to their communities, and explore pathways to develop new skills and experiences.
The day concluded with the Volunteer and Learn (VALue) Certificate Ceremony, celebrating and recognising students for their commitment to volunteering and the positive impact they have made through their service. The event highlighted the important role young people play in strengthening communities and creating positive change across the Northern Territory.
Volunteer Opportunity with STEPS
Do you value helping others reach their potential and goals within their community? Want to volunteer in an inclusive space while doing so?
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) provides unlimited hours of free English language lessons to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants.
Students learn English language skills that will help them settle successfully in Australia with people with similar backgrounds, experiences, and goals. STEPS are looking for dedicated individuals to provide in-classroom support to their trainers and students undertaking this program.
The Scanlon Foundation aspires to see Australia advance as a welcoming, prosperous and cohesive nation particularly related to the transition of migrants into Australian society.
The Scanlon Foundation funds projects and initiatives that contribute to social cohesion across Australia.
Key Dates
Organisations may apply from 1 July 2026
Applications close 30 June 2027.
Who Can Apply
This is an Australia-wide open grant round and is available to any community organisations, associations or groups that are actively working in this space.
Organisations with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) 1 status can only apply.
There is an option to partner with an organisation who has DGR 1 status (auspice).
Wednesday 23 September — International Day of Sign Languages
Did you know we're also on socials!? We'd love for you to like and follow us!
About Volunteering SA&NT Volunteering SA&NT, established in 1982, is a not-for-profit organisation, the peak body for volunteering and a volunteer resource centre, leading the sector in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
We work with individuals, organisations, businesses and communities to lead, advance, grow, promote and celebrate volunteering, providing a range of services, support and resources for all volunteer involving organisations and over one million volunteers.
Adelaide Head Office L1/300 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000 EmailT 08 8221 7177
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information and is intended for the named addressee(s) only. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email immediately. Any confidentiality or copyright is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in error. It is your responsibility to check this email and any attachments for viruses. No warranty or representation is made that this material is free from computer virus or any other defect or error. Any loss/damage incurred by using this material is not the sender's responsibility. The sender's entire liability will be limited to resupplying this material.
Our mailing address is:
Volunteering SA&NT
SA office: L1/300 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA
| NT office: 10 Pavonia Place, Darwin, NT
| Adelaide Head Office: 08 8221 7177 | Darwin Office: 08 8989 4500
.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Email%20Banner%20(1).png)
