As we approach the end of February 2025, the team at Volunteering SA&NT is excited for the months ahead and all the incredible opportunities to celebrate and support volunteering across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
We’re thrilled to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 South Australian Volunteering Awards! These prestigious awards shine a light on the outstanding contributions of volunteers, volunteer-involving organisations, and businesses that support volunteering. If you know an individual or organisation making a significant impact in the community, now is the time to nominate them.
In addition, nominations for the NT Volunteer of the Year Awards will open on the 3rd of March. Stay tuned and don’t miss the chance to recognise and celebrate your volunteer heroes!
More exciting news: Tickets for the SA 2025 State Conference are officially on sale! This highly anticipated event, held during National Volunteer Week in May, brings together leaders, experts, and volunteers to explore the latest trends and innovations in the sector. Make sure to take advantage of our early bird pricing and secure your spot today.
Additionally, we are delighted to welcome Leah Cassidy, Chief Executive Officer of Sport SA, to our Board. Leah brings extensive leadership experience in sport, recreation, education management, and human services, which will be invaluable as we strengthen our relationship with sporting organisations and explore new avenues for volunteer engagement.
A huge thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to volunteering across South Australia and the Northern Territory. We can’t wait to see all the inspiring nominations for the upcoming awards and look forward to another successful State Conference. If you have any questions or need support, please reach out – our team is here to help.
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
Welcome to our new Board Member: Leah Cassidy
Volunteering SA&NT is pleased to welcome Leah Cassidy, Chief Executive Officer of Sport SA, as the newest member of our Board. Leah brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience, with over 25 years in sport and recreation, education management, and human services across Australia, Hong Kong, and Turkey.
With Leah’s appointment, we look forward to forging stronger ties with sporting organisations and expanding opportunities for volunteer involvement in the sector. Her expertise and dedication will be invaluable in driving our mission forward.
Introducing the Inclusion & Diversity Toolbox 2025!
We're excited to launch the Inclusion & Diversity Toolbox, a new initiative designed to strengthen inclusion and diversity.
This resource will support the Volunteering SA&NT team with training, ongoing learning, and engagement strategies to work effectively with priority cohorts.
The workshops will be held quarterly and will be presented by VSA&NT partners/members and offer practical insights and strategies.
This month, we had our first workshop on 'How We Can Be More Inclusive in Our Daily Professional Lives' facilitated by Daniel Smith and Andreas Sandgren from Minda Incorporated, Volunteering SA&NT members.
International Student Volunteering Expo 2025
We are excited to announce the International Student Volunteering Expo 2025, in partnership with Study Adelaide!
We are currently inviting organisations to express their interest in showcasing their work at the expo.
Don't miss this chance to inspire and engage international students in the world of volunteering. Express your interest today!
Not a volunteer, says Bill Bailey
Bill insists he’s not a volunteer, he just does what people ask him to do – and that’s how, once retired, he started teaching Tai Chi to Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) participants. While still working he had already ‘volunteered’ as a primary school reading assistant: he once gave a young girl with serious difficulties some ‘magic glasses’ (his red-lensed sunglasses from home) to help her read perfectly, and later learnt that this is in fact a remedy for certain kinds of vision problems that allows a child to make sense of the letters in front of them.
Many other volunteering roles too, but for nearly 20 years he has volunteered teaching Tai Chi at the Coordinating Italian Committee in Stepney SA and here is his inspiring volunteering journey (even if he still insists he isn’t a volunteer).
SA Youth Week, South Australia’s biggest celebration for young people aged 12-25, will take place from 9 to 17 April. Supported by the Department of Human Services, SAYW highlights the ideas, talents, and contributions of young South Australians with a wide range of events.
If you’re a youth-led group or work with young people, consider hosting an SAYW event. Register your event by 30 March in the SAYW events calendar to gain visibility. Promotional materials, including logos, posters, and a communications toolkit, are available on the SAYW resources page. Stay connected using #SAYouthWeek and #SAYW.
For any enquiries, email youthactionplan@sa.gov.au. We look forward to seeing your events come to life!
Nominations now open
Do you know a volunteer who goes above and beyond? Now’s your chance to nominate them for the 2025 SA Volunteer Awards!
From outstanding individuals to inspiring community projects and businesses that give back—there’s a category for every kind of volunteer hero.
Nominations close on 30 March. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate someone making a difference.
This is a relaxed virtual information session providing you information about palliative care volunteering in SA and an opportunity for you to ask questions.
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.
Grants SA is offering funding for projects that enhance community participation, wellbeing, and quality of life. Eligible organisations, including Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations, not-for-profits, and certified social enterprises, can apply for:
Tier 1: Up to $10,000 for equipment and resources.
Tier 2: Up to $30,000 for projects, programs, or minor infrastructure.
Preventive Health SA is offering grants of $1,000 to community and sporting organisations to assist with purchasing Automated External Defibrillators (AED) per eligible location. This initiative supports not-for-profit organisations in meeting public access requirements under the Automated External Defibrillators Act 2022.
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, and are assessed as received until funds are allocated. To check eligibility and apply, visit the Preventive Health SAwebsite.
VSA&NT Resources Hub
There is a wealth of helpful volunteering resources available to discover and share information within the sector. Explore our recommended volunteering resources to assist with best practice in volunteer management, recruitment and training of volunteers. Plus, resources for volunteers!
We can support your volunteer leadership development
VSA&NT is here to help and support your volunteer involving organisation.
Volunteering SA&NT provides free and low-cost learning and development sessions for volunteers and for people who manage, supervise or lead volunteers in organisations, sports clubs, and groups. Sessions are informative and inspiring and offer straightforward suggestions for dealing with all matters volunteering.
Practical and flexible, sessions take the form of two to three hours, half day, or full day workshops. We can meet your volunteer management professional development needs. For more information contact our friendly team.
Meals on Wheels is a vital organisation delivering nutritious meals and social connection to people in need. Their dedicated volunteers help ensure that elderly, unwell, or disabled individuals receive daily meals and support.
Right now, Meals on Wheels urgently needs volunteers. If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back, consider joining Meals on Wheels.
Visit their website or check our volunteer listings to get involved today. There are over 50 volunteering positions available, offering a range of opportunities to support this essential service.
Explore over 1500 Volunteering Opportunities!
Looking for a way to give back to your community?
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 proud to collaborate with Palliative Care SA, Southern Volunteering, and Northern Volunteering on a partnership project to enhance support for volunteers and organisations in the palliative care sector.
Palliative care provides essential services to individuals with life-limiting illnesses, offering companionship, social support, meal deliveries, transportation, and emotional care. Volunteers play a vital role in delivering these services, making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.
Through this project, we have surveyed the sector to identify key areas for support and have developed training, resources, and toolkits to empower volunteers and managers. To learn more, visit Palliative Care Volunteering SA Hub.
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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