The past month has highlighted the value of connection, collaboration and ensuring the Northern Territory's voice is represented on the national stage.
It was wonderful to see four Northern Territory scholarship recipients join volunteer leaders from across Australia at the 2026 National Volunteering Conference in Adelaide. Their participation ensured Territory perspectives were represented in important national conversations about the future of volunteering while providing valuable opportunities to learn, share ideas and bring new insights back to our local sector.
Looking ahead, Volunteering NT was also proud to host the Council of Australian Volunteering Peak Bodies (CEON) Meeting in Darwin on 29–30 July. Bringing peak body leaders together in the Territory is a valuable opportunity to showcase our unique volunteering landscape, strengthen national collaboration and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing our sector.
I also welcomed the opportunity to meet with Minister Hon Jinson Anto Charls to discuss the future of volunteering in the Northern Territory, alongside CEO colleagues from national and state/territory Volunteer Peak Bodies.
The months ahead promise plenty of opportunities to connect and celebrate volunteering. National Youth Volunteering Week is just around the corner, shining a spotlight on the next generation of volunteers and encouraging more young Territorians to get involved in their communities. We're also looking forward to launching our Regional Roadshow, which will bring practical workshops and networking opportunities to volunteer leaders and organisations across the Territory. I encourage you to explore both initiatives in this edition and get involved.
Thank you for your continued commitment to volunteering and the communities you support. Together, we're building a stronger, more connected Northern Territory.
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
Four NT Volunteer Leaders Attend National Volunteering Conference Through Scholarship Support
Four volunteer leaders from the Northern Territory were awarded scholarships to attend the 2026 National Volunteering Conference in Adelaide, ensuring Territory voices were represented in national conversations about the future of volunteering.
Thanks to scholarship support from the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS), the recipients joined more than 400 delegates from across Australia to explore this year's theme, Innovation and Impact: Reimagining Volunteering. The conference provided valuable opportunities to learn from sector leaders, share local perspectives, build new connections and bring fresh ideas back to volunteer-involving organisations across the Northern Territory.
Congratulations to our NT scholarship recipients:
Mona Ulak
Jennifer Maguire
Edwin Joseph
Lauren Winter
We thank each of them for representing the Northern Territory and look forward to seeing the positive impact of the knowledge and connections they gained through this national experience.
From 10–16 August 2026, National Youth Volunteer Week (NYVW) will celebrate the energy, ideas and impact of young volunteers across Australia - and encourage more young people to get involved. NYVW is for all young volunteers, and for the organisations, schools and communities that support them with safe, inclusive and meaningful opportunities.
Download the free campaign resources
Get involved: Download the free NYVW Campaign Resources to promote the week, share the message and celebrate young volunteers in your community.
Share Your Story celebrates the experiences of young volunteers and the difference they're making in communities across Australia.
This form is open to volunteers aged 16 years and over. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you’ll need permission from your parent or legal guardian before submitting your story.
Once submitted and reviewed by the Volunteering Australia team, your story may be featured as part of National Youth Volunteer Week. If you have any questions, please email media@volunteeringaustralia.org
Join us during National Youth Volunteer Week for an inspiring online conversation.
Hear from five outstanding young volunteer leaders, including Youth Volunteer Award recipients and recent National Volunteering Conference panelists, as they share their experiences of leadership and creating positive change through volunteering.
Moderated by Dr Felix Ho ASM OAM, Australia's inaugural Volunteer of the Year and a passionate advocate for youth volunteering.
It's that time of year again! Membership renewal season for the 2026-27 financial year is just around the corner.
Over the coming weeks, you'll receive your membership renewal information, along with details on how to continue enjoying the many benefits of being a Volunteering NT member.
We value your ongoing support and look forward to another year of working together to strengthen volunteering across the Northern Territory.
Watch this space for your renewal notice and further updates!
Get in touch with us
We would love to promote the incredible work of our members through our monthly newsletter!
Inspiring the Next Generation of Volunteers at O'Loughlin Day
Volunteering NT was pleased to be part of O'Loughlin Catholic College's annual O'Loughlin Day, a valued event that celebrates the spirit, legacy, and values of the College's founder. As part of the College's Catholic Social Justice Outreach program, the session encouraged students to explore the importance of volunteering and community service.
Representatives from Ronald McDonald House North Australia, St John Ambulance NT, Australian Red Cross, Wanderers Football Club, and the NT Youth Roundtable spoke with students about the work their organisations do and the positive impact volunteers have in their communities. Students also heard inspiring personal stories from volunteers representing Ronald McDonald House Charities and St John NT, who shared what motivated them to volunteer and the difference it has made in their lives.
The session gave students the opportunity to ask questions, connect with local community organisations, and learn about the many ways they can become involved in volunteering. We thank all the organisations and volunteers who generously shared their time and experiences to help inspire the next generation of volunteers.
We're looking forward to connecting with our members and the wider community in Alice Springs this August.
Come and say hello to the Volunteering NT team at the Convention Centre for:
COTA NT Alice Springs Seniors Expo – Tuesday, 12 August - Find out more
Alice Springs Disability Expo – Wednesday, 13 August - Find out more
Whether you're interested in volunteering, looking to connect with community organisations, or simply want to learn more about what we do, we'd love to meet you.
We're also excited to be planning our next Member Network Gathering in Alice Springs. Watch this space for more information and opportunities to connect with members from across the region.
From September to November, VSA&NT will be visiting regional communities across South Australia and the Northern Territory to deliver a series of interactive 3-hour workshops focused on learning, connection and practical discussion.
Designed specifically for volunteer managers, coordinators, leaders and volunteer-involving organisations, workshops will include practical learning, discussion around current volunteering issues and opportunities to connect with peers from your region.
Expressions of Interest are NOW OPEN, and we’re inviting you - volunteer managers, coordinators and organisations from regional centres in South Australia and the Northern Territory - to help shape the programme.
Register your interest and tell us what matters most. What’s keeping you awake at night? What skills would you like to build? What topics of conversation would be most valuable for your organisation and community?
Sessions will be Free of Charge for VSA&NT Members ($89 for non-members), with spaces limited. Formal registrations will open once dates and venues are confirmed.
Complete the Expression of Interest form to share your thoughts and be first in line for Roadshow updates and booking details.
Learning & Development Opportunities from the Sector:
Workshop Details
📅 Date: 13 August 2026 🕘 Time: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm 📍 Location: Contour Hotel, 9 Cyprus Street, Katherine East 💲 Cost: $20 per person
Build Stronger Grant Applications
Whether you're a community organisation, business, not-for-profit, or local group, this practical workshop is designed to help you develop stronger, more competitive grant applications and improve your chances of securing funding.
You'll also have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one sessions with our facilitators to discuss your own project or funding ideas.
For more learning and development opportunities from across state and territory Volunteering Peak Bodies, check out the training page on theVolunteering Gateway!
Why the 2026 Census Matters for Volunteering in the NT
The 2026 Census is an opportunity for Territorians to help shape the future of their communities.
Held on 11 August 2026, the Census provides vital information that helps governments, businesses and community organisations plan for local services, infrastructure, healthcare, education and community investment.
For the Northern Territory, where communities are diverse and often geographically dispersed, accurate Census data plays an important role in ensuring resources are directed where they are needed most. It also helps build a clearer picture of volunteering across the Territory, ensuring the contribution of volunteers is recognised and counted.
For the volunteering sector, understanding who volunteers, where they volunteer, and how participation is changing over time helps organisations strengthen programs, address barriers to involvement, and advocate for the support communities need. Combined with broader volunteering data from the sector, Census information contributes to a stronger evidence base for volunteering in the NT, helping demonstrate the vital role volunteers play in connecting communities, delivering services, and improving wellbeing. Census information packs and instructions will be distributed in late July, and help is available through the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census website, the Census Contact Centre, and local support services.
Every response helps tell the story of volunteering in the Northern Territory.
Key Date
Late July 2026: Census instructions delivered to households.
11 August 2026: Census Night.
October 2026: Census collection period closes.
We're pleased to share this helpful guidance developed by our colleagues at Volunteering Queensland, who have created a practical explainer on how to complete the relevant Census questions.
DCLS provides free legal services, tenancy advice, disability and aged care advocacy, NDIS appeals and community education. We also advocate for fairer laws, policies and services.
Darwin Community Legal Service is seeking two voluntary Board Directors to help guide our organisation and strengthen access to justice across the Northern Territory.
We welcome people with experience in governance, not-for-profit leadership, finance, risk, disability, aged care, law, public policy, community services, technology or social justice.
Previous Board experience is not essential. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, carers and people connected to communities across the NT to apply.
The Board meets every two months, generally on the third Monday from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Meetings are held in Darwin, with online attendance available when needed.
Successful candidates will be appointed until the DCLS Annual General Meeting in November 2026. They may then nominate for election for a two-year term.
How to apply
Please email your covering letter and current resume to ceo@dcls.org.au.
The Board Director Position Description is available on the DCLS website under Join Us, then Employment: www.dcls.org.au/join-us/employment.
Applications close 5.00 pm Friday, 14 August 2026.
For a confidential discussion, contact Rachael Bowker, CEO, at ceo@dcls.org.au or (08) 8982 1111.
Volunteer with Parks & Wildlife – Volunteer Campground Host
A volunteer campground host ensures the smooth running of the campground and associated facilities. Duties include greeting visitors, providing park information, being a point of contact in emergencies, and cleaning campground facilities as required.
You'll provide friendly, timely support to volunteer enquiries, assist with volunteer recruitment, onboarding and compliance checks, coordinate interviews, inductions and training, maintain accurate volunteer records, communicate with volunteers, and help prepare recruitment and welcome materials to ensure every volunteer has a positive experience.
Food Hub Volunteer
As a Foodbank Food Hub Volunteer, you will be part of a friendly team helping deliver good food to people experiencing hardship. In this role, every smile, conversation, stocked shelf and helping hand contributes to someone feeling supported during a difficult time. In this role, you may welcome clients, process client shops, sort donations and restock shelves.
Grant funding available for sustainable education and life skill development programs designed to help and support disadvantaged young Australians under the age of 25.
$250,000 in grants available
Grant applications open: 9:00am AEST on 20 July 2026
Grant applications close: 5:00pm AEST on 28 August 2026
Grants support small rural, remote and very remote communities across Australia to fund practical, community-led projects that benefit and strengthen local people and places.
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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
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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
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