As we move into April, the momentum is truly building across the volunteering sector, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come.
One of the biggest highlights on our calendar is the 2025 State Volunteering Conference, and this year’s program aims to be our most impactful yet. The conference will bring together volunteers, leaders, organisations, and experts to explore key themes shaping the future of volunteering. I’m particularly excited about sessions like:
Building a Rural Volunteering Roadmap, presented by Professor Leonie Lockstone-Binney, exploring long-term strategies to strengthen volunteering in regional South Australia.
The Refreshed Volunteering Strategy for South Australia 2021–2027, the Department for Human Services will be presenting and aim to launch the finalised 2-year Action Plan.
Engaging Young People in Volunteering, where we’ll hear from student participants in the SVA Service Award and learn how to better engage the next generation.
Plus, I'm personally looking forward to discussions on Innovation in Aged Care and the evolving role of AI in volunteering.
As part of our ongoing commitment to advocacy, our team is currently preparing for the 2026 South Australian State Election. We want to ensure that the needs and voices of volunteers and the organisations that support them are at the forefront in the lead-up to the election. To help us better understand what matters most to you, we invite you to complete a brief survey. Click here to have your say.
Finally, a quick reminder that nominations for the 2025 South Australian Volunteering Awards are closing soon! These awards are a chance to spotlight the individuals and groups and business making an extraordinary impact in our communities—so don’t miss the opportunity to recognise your volunteer heroes.
Thank you again for everything you do to support, grow and celebrate volunteering. Please reach out if we can assist you or your organisation in any way. I can’t wait to see the amazing nominations roll in and to connect with you at the conference in May!
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 a to join the Inclusive Volunteering Community of Practice.
This growing network already includes over 30 passionate individuals from a range of sectors—volunteer managers, community leaders, departments, and people with lived
experience—all working together to improve inclusive volunteering practices.
Our focus is on improving volunteering engagement with six key cohorts: First Nations People, newly arrived migrants, people living with disabilities, young people (12-18), vulnerable women and unemployed.
We meet face-to-face four times a year (with morning tea provided) to co-design solutions, share resources, and support each other in a warm and collaborative atmosphere.
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.
Recognise your volunteers’ anniversary
Say thank you to your volunteers with volunteer merchandise or brush up on your skills with volunteer leadership publications.
If you are a Volunteering SA&NT member, you will also receive up to 20% discount on selected items.
Volunteers from the Transport team at the City of Holdfast Bay share their thoughts here on volunteering and how they found enjoyable and rewarding roles by exploring different options, then choosing what they would like to do as volunteers. Their relationships with participants are close and valued, and in transporting people for shopping or excursions the team play an important part in assisting them with daily activities. The team is very appreciative of the support and help of their Coordinators and the fact that there is flexibility in their roles to fit in with their personal lives.
This is important to them, as they are busy people and dedicate their time to multiple volunteering activities!
The SVA Service Award pilot is gaining momentum, with 600 new students joining in the past five weeks and nearly 17,000 volunteering hours logged—4,000 of those in just three weeks!
We now have 17 schools participating in the pilot, with a youth advisory group forming to help guide the program’s next steps.
Impact stories will be collected in Term 2 as part of our ongoing evaluation.
It’s fantastic to see so many young South Australians getting involved and giving back through volunteering!
Nominations are closing soon, but there’s still time to submit yours.
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.
Don’t miss your chance to recognise who is making a difference through volunteering.
Are you hosting an event during National Volunteer Week?
Our National Volunteer Week website page features a calendar of events happening throughout the week — including our own events and those from our partners and members.
If you're hosting or aware of a relevant event taking place during National Volunteer Week, we’d love to include it!
Please send us the event details so we can help spread the word and celebrate the incredible impact of volunteers across the state.
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.
Federal Budget
The Albanese Government recently unveiled the Federal Budget. VSA&NT welcomes the news that the Volunteer Management Activity will receive ongoing funding (though at the same level as before) but is disappointed that no new funding has been announced for volunteers or measures related to volunteering. This includes no funding for any of the other budget asks made in Volunteering Australia’s Pre-Budget submission, such as the implementation of the National Strategy for Volunteering. VSA&NT will continue to work closely with Volunteering Australia and state and territory peak bodies to advocate strongly with the government, opposition, and major party candidates on volunteering ecosystem priorities in the lead-up to the federal election.
Click here to read Volunteering Australia’s Federal Budget media release.
Following the release of the refreshed Volunteering Strategy for SA 2021-2027 in December 2024, the governing Steering Committee developed a draft Action Plan to guide the implementation of the State Strategy's priorities over the next 3 years.
The Department for Human Services is seeking your feedback in a variety of ways to ensure the Action Plan reflects the needs of volunteer involving organisations, volunteer managers and volunteers.
For more information and to provide feedback, visit the draft Action Plan consultation page on YourSay here.
Five Forces that are Changing Volunteering in Queensland Discussion Paper
Volunteering Queensland, prompted by the declining volunteer rates identified in the State of Volunteering in Queensland 2024 report, commissioned a discussion paper that outlines the external factors influencing this downturn in volunteering. This decline is not confined to Queensland, with similar challenges being observed across other states and territories and globally. The paper highlights the broader implications for volunteerism, signalling the need for collective action across regions to address these contributing forces.
We can support your volunteer leadership development
Check the upcoming session in April:
For volunteers:
Recognising and Understanding Ageism for Volunteers
The club is the guardian of the Golden Retriever breed in South Australia, committed to preserving the breed and providing education to help owners obtain and care for healthy golden retrievers from reputable breeders.
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 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.
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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