What an incredible few weeks it has been for the volunteering sector.
Earlier this month, more than 400 delegates gathered in Adelaide and online for the 2026 National Volunteering Conference, exploring this year's theme, Innovation and Impact: Reimagining Volunteering. It was fantastic to see members from the Northern Territory contributing to conversations that will help shape the future of volunteering across Australia.
Across three inspiring days, delegates shared ideas, challenged thinking and explored practical approaches to volunteer engagement, leadership and innovation. While the discussions covered many topics, one message stood out: as our communities continue to change, volunteering must continue to evolve while remaining grounded in what matters most: people, connection, belonging and community.
I encourage you to take a look at the conference highlights and photos in this edition if you weren't able to join us.
This month also saw the launch of the 2026 South Australian State of Volunteering Report. While focused on South Australia, the report provides valuable insights into emerging trends, challenges and opportunities that will help inform volunteering policy, advocacy and practice across the country.
Looking ahead, we're excited to celebrate National Youth Volunteering Week from 3-11 August. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the energy, ideas and leadership that young people bring to our communities, while encouraging more young Territorians to discover the many benefits of volunteering.
Thank you for your continued commitment to volunteering across the Northern Territory. Together, we're helping build stronger, more connected and more resilient communities.
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
2026 National Volunteering Conference
Thank you for joining us at the 2026 National Volunteering Conference.
Over three inspiring days, more than 400 delegates gathered in Adelaide on Kaurna Country and online to explore this year's theme, Innovation and Impact: Reimagining Volunteering.
Together, volunteer leaders, managers, researchers, policymakers, community organisations and volunteers from across Australia shared ideas, challenged thinking, built connections, and explored the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of volunteering.
From discussions on technology and inclusive innovation to evidence, impact and future leadership, the conference highlighted a shared commitment to ensuring volunteering remains at the heart of strong, connected communities.
On behalf of Volunteering Australia and Volunteering SA&NT, thank you for your participation, contributions and enthusiasm. Your insights and experiences helped make this conference such a valuable and memorable event.
While the conference may have concluded, the conversations continue. Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing additional photos, highlights, stories and reflections from the conference across our channels. We encourage you to stay connected and continue engaging with colleagues and peers across the volunteering sector.
Thank you once again for being part of the 2026 National Volunteering Conference and for the important work you do to support, strengthen and reimagine volunteering in Australia.
In 2026, it is all about “50 Years of Deadly” – marking five decades of celebrating the strength, culture and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Here in the Territory, it’s a time to come together, get around the community, and recognise the generations who’ve kept culture strong and voices heard. It’s not just about looking back – it’s about celebrating where we are now and backing the future.
There are great local events happening across the NT – and an opportunity to get involved, to listen, and connect:
What is it? Ask Izzy is a website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more. It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.
Ask Izzy is used regularly by service providers, government agencies and corporate hardship teams across Australia to help their clients find support.
Ask Izzy takes the hard work out of finding relevant, up-to-date and local support services for your clients, so you don’t get bogged down in admin or referral dead ends.
Want to add or edit your details on Ask Izzy?
If you're a service provider and you're not listed on Ask Izzy, you can add your service detailsvia this simple formon the Ask Izzy website.If you'd like to edit your existing details, please contact Infoxchange:database@infoxchange.org
Match technology to organisational needs and budget, using filters and categories.
We can support your volunteer leadership development.
Volunteering SA&NT are preparing for a Learning & Development Roadshow that will bring face-to-face learning and networking opportunities to the main centres across the NT. To ensure these opportunities reflect the learning and skill development priorities of NT volunteer managers/coordinators, your experience, ideas, and priorities are essential.
📆 28 July 2026
⏰ 2 pm - 3 pm ACST
💻 This session will be blended: Online and In-person (Darwin)
What Matters Most to You? Identifying Skill Development Priorities for Volunteer Managers in the NT
Volunteer managers in the NT face unique challenges and opportunities shaped by regional, remote, and diverse communities. To make sure Learning & Development Roadshow sessions are relevant, practical and reflect on-the-ground need, we’re seeking your input. Join us to share what matters most to you and help shape what the VSA&NT team delivers.
For more learning and development opportunities from across state and territory Volunteering Peak Bodies, check out the training page on theVolunteering Gateway!
Sport-light on volunteer management resources for clubs
Sport Volunteer Resource Hub
Australian Sports Commission
The Hub is designed to support those involved in volunteering in sport. Be it at your local club through to major sporting events such as a national championship or mass participation event.
“Connecting Communities Through the Power of Chess”
Our Mission is to improve the lives of Northern Territorians by giving all Northern Territorians access to organised chess.
NT Chess Association is preparing for running the 2027 Australian Open Chess Championship on behalf of the Australian Chess Federation.
The event will take place 2-11 January 2027 in Darwin. The Association is on the look out for volunteers to support this major national and ongoing local events.
This year, about 400 young people across the Northern Territory participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award through volunteering, physical recreation, skills development, and adventurous journeys.
Through the Award, students participate between 13 – 52 hours of volunteering in their local communities.
The Duke of Edinburgh is currently inviting organisations to become Duke 4Volunteering Partners and help create meaningful volunteering opportunities for young people across the Northern Territory.
Why partner with Duke of Ed?
✔ Connect with motivated young volunteers locally
✔ Increase your organisation's visibility and community impact
✔ Be featured in our national partner directory
✔ Access professional development opportunities
✔ Join a trusted youth development network of 40+ NT organisations
Simple and free to join
We offer a free partnership program designed to be flexible, accessible, and mutually beneficial for organisations of all sizes.
There are no costs involved in becoming a Duke 4Volunteering Partner.
Getting involved is easy:
Complete a short online registration
Display the Duke of Ed partner logo
Be featured as a recognised partner
Get your boots on – volunteer at the Regional Show!
Each year, locals from across the region come together to help bring regional shows to life.
There is no better way to support a proud community tradition than getting involved with fabulous Regional Show Committees across the NT.
From assisting with event activities to helping behind the scenes, volunteering is a great way to be part of the action, meet new people, and support a proud community tradition.
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
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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
