Volunteering Australia

28/05/2026

For our Community of Practice (CoP) meeting next week, we will be joined by Sarah Wilson.

Sarah is the National Strategy and Policy Advisor at Volunteering Australia and previously led the development of Australia’s first National Strategy for Volunteering in a decade. We are very excited to have Sarah with us discussing the volunteer experience and the work she has been doing on a volunteer experience survey.

To ensure you don't miss out, register at https://events.humanitix.com/inaugural-employee-volunteering-community-of-practice

27/05/2026

Financial support is now available for volunteer leaders to attend the 2026 National Volunteering Conference in Adelaide!

Co-hosted by Volunteering Australia and Volunteering SA&NT, the conference will take place from 16–18 June 2026 at Adelaide University’s National Wine Centre under the theme: Innovation and Impact: Reimagining Volunteering.

Thanks to funding from the Department of Social Services (DSS), financial support is available to help volunteer leaders from across Australia attend the conference, with support covering:
✔ Registration
✔ Travel
✔ Accommodation

Applications are open to paid and unpaid volunteer leaders from every State and Territory.

📅 Key dates:
Applications close: 5:00 PM (ACST), Thursday 4 June 2026
Successful applicants notified by: Friday 5 Jun 2026

Learn more under the National Volunteering Conference Financial Support section and apply: https://hubs.li/Q04hYWSs0

26/05/2026

Today kicks off National Reconciliation Week 2026, running from 27 May to 3 June.

We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the Traditional Custodians of this land. Volunteering Australia recognises the cultural voluntary practices of First Nations peoples and their invaluable contributions in caring for country, community, kinship and reciprocity continue to remain strong and thriving today. The spirit of showing up for others is the foundation on which our community is built.

This year's theme is All In. True reconciliation will not happen without all of us. It requires genuine partnership and commitment to advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights. It is not solely the responsibility of First Nations peoples who have carried that weight for far too long. It is on all of us to step up.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and pay our respect to Elders past and present.

Learn more about this year's theme and how you can support National Reconciliation Week. - reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week

The theme, All In, is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.

26/05/2026

We hope you enjoyed this year's National Volunteer Week as much as we did.

We'd love to know how you celebrated. Did you host an event, recognise volunteers, or use any of our campaign resources?

Your feedback helps shape future themes, resources and campaigns, and supports us to continue strengthening volunteering across Australia.

Take a few moments to complete our quick survey. We’d love to hear about your experience.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XQ579YQ

25/05/2026

Vale Neale Daniher AO. Thank you for your advocacy, leadership and compassion.

25/05/2026

National Volunteer Week has come to a end, but the conversations, ideas and momentum continue.

Across the week, we’ve celebrated the many ways volunteering strengthens communities. Now, we look ahead to the future of volunteering in Australia and the people helping shape it.

The 2026 National Volunteering Conference will bring together leaders, volunteer managers, researchers, policymakers and community organisations from across the country for three days of discussion, learning and connection in Adelaide.

From plenary sessions and workshops to networking and on-the-ground learning opportunities, the conference is designed for people working to ensure volunteering continues to evolve, grow and thrive.

Visit the website to explore the growing line-up and see what’s taking shape for
https://www.nvc2026.org.au/

25/05/2026

Join us for our next National Strategy for Volunteering online meeting, the inaugural Employee Volunteering Community of Practice (CoP) on the 3rd of June 2026.

This meeting will focus on creating a national network of stakeholders engaged in employee volunteering to foster knowledge-sharing, new partnerships and continual development.

For more information and to register, visit: events.humanitix.com/inaugural-employee-volunteering-community-of-practice

24/05/2026

As National Volunteer Week comes to a close, we want to say thank you. ❤️

This week, we saw thousands of moments of recognition, gratitude, care and connection shared across the country. We celebrated volunteers from every sector and community, and were reminded just how deeply volunteering shapes Australia.

We also celebrated Australia’s inaugural Australian Volunteer of the Year alongside the 9.5 million people who volunteer across the country every year. Every act of kindness, support and generosity helps make communities feel stronger, safer and more connected.

At a time when life feels increasingly busy and stretched, choosing to show up for others is powerful.

As the Governor-General shared this week, “our country simply would not run without volunteers.”

To every volunteer, thank you for all that you do and for the communities you help create every day.

And to everyone who shared a story, attended an event, recognised a volunteer, or thought about getting involved for the first time this week, thank you for being part of National Volunteer Week 2026.

Here’s to making 2026 Your Year to Volunteer.

24/05/2026

We cannot end the week without recognising the people and organisations helping sustain volunteering across the country.

Behind every volunteer are the people, organisations, systems and support that help volunteering happen safely, inclusively and sustainably.

Across Australia, Volunteering Peak Bodies and volunteer involving organisations work every day to strengthen this ecosystem through advocacy, training, resources, connection and support.

Their work helps communities stay connected, resilient and able to respond when it matters most.

Supporting volunteering is not just about recognition. It requires meaningful investment in the activities, infrastructure and support systems that help volunteering thrive.

Volunteering is essential, but it cannot be taken for granted. When we invest in volunteering, we invest in stronger communities.

24/05/2026

Thank you to the Australian Volunteer of the Year, Dr Felix Ho, for sharing your story and the understanding that every contribution is valued.