September has been another exciting month for Volunteering SA&NT, with opportunities to strengthen relationships, recognise our sector's contribution, and look ahead to what’s coming in the final months of the year.
I was pleased to attend a farewell reception at Government House, hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and Mr Rod Bunten. As Patron of Volunteering SA&NT, Her Excellency’s support over the past five years has been greatly valued, and it was a wonderful opportunity to personally thank her for her significant contribution to volunteering and to reflect on the important role volunteering plays across our state.
We also extend our congratulations to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens on his appointment as the 37th Governor of South Australia. We look forward to welcoming him to the role when he is sworn in later this year, and to continuing to champion the vital role of volunteering across South Australia.
At a national level, we welcome the launch of the National Sport Volunteering Action Plan 2026–2029. Community sport simply could not happen without volunteers, and the Plan’s focus on making volunteering easier to start, share and sustain is an important step towards supporting the people, clubs and communities that make sport possible.
This month, our Learning & Development Roadshow is hitting the road, bringing practical, face-to-face learning and opportunities for connection to regional South Australia. It’s fantastic to see registrations coming through, and I encourage our regional members, volunteer managers and organisations to get involved.
We’re also looking ahead to International Volunteer Managers Day on 5 November. Volunteer managers and coordinators play an essential role in creating safe, welcoming and meaningful experiences for volunteers. It’s an important opportunity to recognise the expertise, dedication and often unseen work that enables volunteering to thrive.
With our Annual General Meeting also approaching, it’s a timely opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved together and look ahead to another year. Invitations have now been issued to members for our Annual General Meeting on 21 October 2026. The meeting will be held in Adelaide and live-streamed via Zoom, enabling regional South Australian and Northern Territory members to attend and participate online. Members are encouraged to register. There will also be a great door prize for those attending, so we hope to see many of our members there.
Current members should also keep an eye out for an upcoming opportunity to bring along some of their volunteers to enjoy the Saturday V8 Supercars event from our office. Lucky member organisations will have the chance to invite some of their volunteers to attend, with snacks and a sausage sizzle cooked by me.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our sector. I look forward to connecting with many of you over the coming months.
Warm regards,
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
Anti-Poverty Week 2026
For more than 20 years Anti-Poverty Week has operated in Australia around the 17th of October, the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Our purpose is to help Australians understand poverty and to take action collectively to end it.
Anti-Poverty Week 2026 will run from Sunday 11 October to Saturday 17 October.
The National Sport Volunteering Action Plan 2026-29 has been launched by the Australian Sports Commission to strengthen sport volunteering across Australia. Built around the vision of making volunteering easier to start, easier to share, and easier to sustain, the Plan outlines 14 actions designed to better support volunteers, sporting clubs and communities.
The Plan focuses on practical, achievable change by building on existing resources, keeping solutions simple, and supporting clubs to address challenges they cannot solve alone. It encourages a shared commitment across the sport sector to attract, retain and support volunteers, ensuring community sport remains strong and sustainable into the future
Volunteer leadership does not come with clear instructions or neat step‑by‑step diagrams. Instead, you are navigating complexity, competing demands, and constant change while trying to do right by volunteers, organisations, and communities.
The Advanced Volunteer Management Symposium 2026 is a five‑week online experience, beginning on 28 October, designed to give you space, tools and peer connection to rise to this moment and think beyond basics.
Our Learning & Development team is heading to regional communities across South Australia and the Northern Territory, with upcoming workshops confirmed for Burra, Eudunda, Mount Gambier, Alice Springs, Darwin and Berri.
These practical, face-to-face sessions are for anyone who leads, coordinates, or supports volunteers. Come and join us to explore volunteer management best practice, discuss common challenges, connect with local peers and discover resources to support your organisation and volunteers.
Tickets are free for Volunteering SA&NT members and $70 for non-members. Complimentary places are also available for small organisations where cost may be a barrier (contact training@vsant.org.au).
Secure your spot now - We’d love to see you there!
Build your governance knowledge with two full scholarships available
Volunteering SA&NT (VSA&NT) and VUCA are offering a one-day facilitated course for current and aspiring not-for-profit board members, and executives and senior staff who report to boards.
This course will use practical insights, case studies and discussion to explore board responsibilities, legal and financial obligations, risk, accountability, stakeholder management, organisational culture, sustainability and strategy.
Facilitator David Spear is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management, with more than 25 years’ experience across governance, business management, leadership, strategy and risk.
Two full scholarships are availablefor current or aspiring not-for-profit directors.
To apply, explain in 60 words or fewer:
why clear governance knowledge is important for your board; and
For more learning and development opportunities from across state and territory Volunteering Peak Bodies, check out the training page on theVolunteering Gateway.
Julia Farr Disability Inclusion Grants
Applications are open for Julia Farr Disability Inclusion Grants (Round 1) 2026 – 2027.
Grant funding will be available in two tiers:
Tier 1: Up to $20,000 delivered over 12 months
Tier 2: Up to $100,000 delivered over 24 months.
Applicants eligible for the grant include South Australian organisations that provide local support services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), local councils, community centres and neighbourhood houses.
Are you part of a small community group powered by volunteers?
The National Knowledge Base has launched a dedicated collection of resources designed to support Micro Volunteer-Involving Organisations (VIOs) and groups.
Drawing on the experiences and insights of grassroots organisations nationwide, the directory brings together practical articles, tools, and resources to help organisations strengthen their volunteer programs, build good practice, and navigate common challenges. While the collection has been curated with smaller organisations in mind, the information is relevant and valuable for volunteer programs of all sizes.
Visit the National Knowledge Base today and explore resources designed to help grassroots organisations thrive.
Strengthen volunteer involvement through its range of free legal resources and tools.
In this Youtube video, learn how Justice Connect can help your organisation navigate common legal questions and strengthen volunteer involvement through its range of free legal resources and tools.
Congratulations to Hackham West Community Centre, the winner of our Member Prize Draw! They have won a customised Learning and Development session.
Notice of Volunteering SA&NT Annual General Meeting 2026
If you're a member, join us for an afternoon of connection, reflection and inspiration as we celebrate the year’s achievements, hear from special guest speakers, and discuss our shared vision for the future. The event will conclude with networking and light refreshments.
The 2026 Latin Arts Festival, presented by the Latin Arts Community Support Network Inc. (LACS Network), is a vibrant cultural tourism event celebrating the diversity, creativity and traditions of Latin American communities in South Australia.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the festival offers locals, interstate visitors and international tourists an opportunity to experience the colours, sounds, flavours and artistic traditions of Latin America in the heart of Adelaide.
Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy Latin live performances, creative art displays, local Latin gastronomy, entrepreneurs, artisans, and more.
Featuring talented artists from El Salvador, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Spain and more.
📆 Sunday, 11 October 2026 ⏰ 12PM to 8PM 📍 Victoria Square, Adelaide
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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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