As we move into May, National Volunteer Week is fast approaching, and is a time to celebrate and recognise the extraordinary contribution that volunteers make across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
During the week of celebrations, we are once again proud to bring the volunteering community together on Thursday, 22 May to celebrate two special events.
The day will begin with the 2025 SA State Volunteering Conference, where leaders, volunteer managers, and volunteers will come together for a day of learning, connection and inspiration. We are pleased to announce that new speakers and topics will be revealed shortly. With limited tickets remaining, I encourage you to register now to secure your place.
That evening, we will come together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of volunteers at the 2025 SA Volunteer Awards ceremony. This year’s nominations have once again showcased the remarkable dedication, generosity and impact of volunteers across our communities. We also warmly acknowledge and thank the nominators, whose generosity and time in recognising others highlight the spirit of volunteering. Nominees and nominators can expect to receive their official invitations shortly, and we look forward to sharing this special evening with them.
In the lead-up to the Federal Election, Volunteering SA&NT proudly stands with Volunteering Australia in calling for greater investment in the future of volunteering. We are urging all political parties and candidates to commit to implementing the National Strategy for Volunteering, providing cost-of-living relief for volunteers, increasing funding for the Volunteer Management Activity, reforming volunteer insurance, and developing a National Volunteer Passport.
This election presents a pivotal moment to shape a thriving and sustainable future for volunteering. I encourage you to learn more and join us in making sure the voice of volunteering is heard: Federal Election Platform 2025 - Volunteering Australia
Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to seeing many of you as we come together to celebrate and strengthen our volunteering community during National Volunteer Week.
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
Join our Inclusive Volunteering Community of Practice!
Are you passionate about building a more inclusive volunteering sector? Do you work with or have lived experience within diverse communities?
We’re inviting new members to join the Inclusive Volunteering Community of Practice.
The Inclusive Community of Practice will meet on 6 May for the second time this year.
This session will focus on defining inclusive volunteering and sharing practices among participants.
If you’re passionate about inclusion, want to share your voice, or simply learn from others, this is the space for you.
Get involved: to express your interest or find out more, email Sofiann Saidi at sofiann.saidi@vsant.org.au. Let’s work together to make volunteering truly inclusive.
Say thank you to your volunteers with volunteer merchandise – Order yours in time for National Volunteer Week!
What's available:
Volunteer lanyards: Perfect for keeping your ID and keys handy while volunteering.
Red-V Pins: Did you know the red v-is the international symbol for volunteering?! Wear with pride and inspire others to join our efforts.
Special Recognition: If you're a volunteer leader, now is the perfect time to recognise your dedicated volunteers with our exclusive anniversary pins. Celebrate their milestones with pins ranging from 1, 5, 10… up to 30 years of service!
Remember, members receive 20% off merchandise orders!
From Crisis to Care: the vision of a volunteer-driven lifeline
Two women share the experience of surviving domestic violence, and their passion for helping animals as well as people. A dedicated Jen Howard founded Safe Pets Safe Families some 12 years ago (click here to read her story); and Lili Jackson, has been a steadfast volunteer for the organisation since 2020.
Please click here to hear what Lili has to say about volunteering for Safe Pets Safe Families.
Safe Pets Safe Families delivers an amazing gamut of services to provide care, support and education to people with pets in crisis and engages between 150 to 500 volunteers in its programs.
This is an article from Volunteering SA&NT Share your Story, a project inspired by the National Volunteering Strategy Action Plan – contact us at shareyourstory@vsant.org.au or CHSPSSD@vsant.org.au
Student Spotlight: Learning Skills and Giving Back
Discover how volunteering in the school canteen helped Connor, a Year 8 student at Scotch College Adelaide, build new skills, grow his confidence, and give back to his school community.
In his inspiring article Behind the Counter: Dishing Up New Skills, Connor shares how simple acts of volunteering can lead to lasting personal development and real-world experience — all while having fun!
Read more about Connor’s journey and why volunteering could be your next best move.
This program aims to attract donors, raise awareness for the organisation, and recruit volunteers with in-kind advertising on Google Search.
The benefits of the program are:
Raise awareness for the cause.
Drive more website views and activity.
Track non-profit marketing efforts.
Reach the people who need help.
USD10,000 worth of in-kind advertising from Google is available each month. No requirement to provide donor workout copy. The funds do not roll over if unused.
Please refer to the website for more information on how to apply.
The Snapshot of Volunteering in Australia Report was jointly commissioned by all State and Territory Volunteering Peak Bodies to provide a comprehensive overview of volunteering nationwide. It draws on data from the 2023 State of Volunteering surveys conducted across each jurisdiction. Key findings include:
64.3% of the population 15 years and over volunteer, amounting to 14.1 million Australians.
Australians volunteer an average of 18.9 hours per month amounting to 3.2 billion hours over the last 12 months.
Volunteering contributes $566 billion to the Australian economy, representing a return of $5 for every $1 invested in volunteering.
The report highlights the current state of volunteering in Australia, explores its economic and social impact, and captures the unique characteristics of the national volunteer landscape. Download the key findings summary here.
Federal Election Platform 2025
Volunteering SA&NT proudly stands with Volunteering Australia in calling on all political parties and candidates to invest in the future of volunteering.
Together, we are building a Volunteer Nation, one that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and sustains the vital work of volunteers across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Volunteering Australia is urging all political parties and candidates to commit to:
Implementing the National Strategy for Volunteering
Providing cost-of-living relief for volunteers
Increasing funding for the Volunteer Management Activity
Reforming volunteer insurance
Developing a National Volunteer Passport
This is a crucial moment to shape a strong and sustainable future for volunteering. Your voice can make a difference in the lead up to the Federal Election on Saturday 3 May 2025.
How you can help:
Contact candidates in your electorate to share why implementing the National Strategy for Volunteering is essential for a sustainable, thriving volunteer nation and stronger communities.
Share Volunteering Australia's Election Platform with your volunteers and networks, and post about the importance of volunteering on social media. A Communications Pack with key messages and social media tiles is available to assist.
Reach out to local media to share your story. Highlight how volunteering has positively impacted your life or community to raise awareness and inspire action.
As we approach the 2026 South Australian State Election, Volunteering SA&NT is keen to hear from volunteer managers and organisations across the volunteering sector. Your insights are vital—we want to make sure the challenges you face and the support you need is heard by those shaping public policy.
This survey is an opportunity to share your experiences, highlight your needs, and identify opportunities. The results will be used to inform the government, the opposition, and election candidates, helping to shape future volunteering policies and programs.
We can support your volunteer leadership development
We’ll explore powerful strategies for recruitment, training, and retention, all focused on fostering deep engagement and appreciation among your volunteers.
How to Diversify your Volunteer Team - In Person - SA
Join us for a panel discussion on Standard 3 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
Each session runs for one hour and is completely free to attend. These webinars are a great opportunity for local organisations to connect with national colleagues, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Who knows what great initiatives might emerge from these conversations?
Volunteering SA&NT currently has over 1500 volunteering positions available on our website!
Whether you’re interested in social support, event assistance, environmental projects, or skill-based volunteering, there’s an opportunity for everyone.
Visit our website to explore the available roles, apply, or share these opportunities with friends and family. Together, we can make a difference!
Volunteering SA&NT is thrilled to be working with Palliative Care South Australia on the Palliative Care Volunteering SA Project, funded by SA Health as part of the Palliative Care Connect Program.
If you’ve been thinking about how to become involved in palliative care volunteering, a free 30-minute online and statewide Information Session is for you! Visit the website for session dates and times.
Upcoming Sessions:
Palliative Care Volunteering Information Session
This is a relaxed virtual information session providing you information about palliative care volunteering in SA and an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Palliative Care Volunteering Hot Topics – May to June 2025
Palliative Care Volunteering SA invites volunteer managers, coordinators, and volunteers to a series of free statewide webinars exploring important topics in palliative care volunteering.
HELP APP Volunteer Role Information Session for Volunteer Coordinators in SA
Are you a Volunteer Coordinator in SA supporting people who have been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or who are caring for someone at end of life? This Session is for you.
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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