Every year we look back with amazement at the challenges and acheivements we have been through, and wonder 'could next year possibly top that?' 2015 was no different.

From an internal restructure, to the launch of our new Membership benefits, to budget cuts across the sector, and VT being awarded Peak Body status... It truly has been a mammoth year for our organisation, and the sector overall.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all, our extended VT family, for your feedback, support and encouragement throughout this time. The faith you have in our abilities to provide you with professional support even in the toughest times is very much appreciated.

And to the staff and volunteers at VT - thank you, and congratulations! We have an elite team, and the enthusiasm and flexibility you have all exhibited this year makes me so proud to work with you.

Here's 'cheers!' to 2015! We are very excited to continue the great work in 2016, and I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday season.

Adrienne Picone, CEO

Nominations are now open for the Tasmanian Volunteering Awards!

These awards, sponsored by MyState and supported by the State Government, aim to recognise and reward the contribution of those who exhibit excellence in the volunteering sector.

Find out more or nominate at www.volunteeringtas.org.au/tasvolunteerawards2016

The Premier, Will Hodgman, launched the awards at a wonderful International Volunteer Day morning tea at Rosny Barn on Friday 4th December.

Around 40 people attended, including The Premier, Jacquie Petrusma MP, Madeline Ogilvy MP, Deputy Mayor of Clarence Jock Campbell, Alderman Debra Thurley, and representatives of our wonderful sponsors, Wayne Davy (CEO Tasplan), Stephen Davy (CEO Hydro Tasmania), Andrew and Lee-Anne Lyden (owners of Lyden Builders) and Chrissie Swann and Louise Bearman (MyState).

Thanks to all attendees for joining us, and a special thanks to the students of the Rosny College Tourism program who donated their time to serve the morning tea. Thanks, too, to Clarence City Council for their generous sponsorship of the launch event.

The Australian Government is inviting organisations to apply for Volunteer Grants 2015.

Funding is expected to be offered to around 5,700 organisations as a result of this process, with grants to be paid by 30 June 2016.

Find out more here.

Are you interested in helping out during an emergency situation or natural disaster?

The Join, Learn, Be Ready program

If you would like to become a skilled volunteer with emergency services (and other key organisations), don’t wait for the crisis. You need to express your interest now so you can be inducted and trained well before an emergency situation occurs.

Go to www.emergencyvolunteers.tas.gov.au to find out more and connect with organisations involved in the disaster response.

EV CREW (Emergency Volunteering Community Response to Extreme Weather)

EV CREW is a volunteer management system that supports organisations involved in the recovery to find volunteers with the right skills, in the right place following a disaster.

The EV CREW service will be launched any day now! We will bring you more information in the new year, but in the meantime please keep your eye on our website for developments.

Is your organisation part of the VT Member family?

There are loads of benefits, and our diaries are quickly filling up with people wanting to take advantage of them.

If you'd like us to help you by doing a free audit of your volunteer program (called a 'Pulse Check'), or if you'd like to take advantage of the assistance we offer with vacancy ad writing or the member feature articles, please get in touch!

In the South? Contact David here.

In the North or on the East Coast? You can get in touch with Wayne.

Members in the North West region can talk to Lana.

"Thanks to Wayne for our recent volunteer management process audit. You have a good deskside manner, it was painless! We look forward to receiving our audit report which will support our continuous improvement plan."

Vicki/Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre, Deloraine.

The 2016 National Volunteering Conference (6 – 8 April 2016, National Convention Centre Canberra) is the principal Australian forum for not for profit leaders, volunteer managers, policy contributors and corporates to come together to build knowledge, innovation, networks and leadership to advance volunteering. The Conference is proudly supported by Beyond Bank Australia.

Early bird registrations for the conference close on 22nd January 2016.  Don’t miss out! For more information: www.2016nationalvolunteeringconference.com.au

Hobart

Closing at 4pm on Wednesday 23rd December.

Re-opening 9am Monday 4th January.

Launceston

Closing at 4pm on Wednesday 23rd December.

Re-opening 9am Monday 4th January

South Burnie

Closing at 4pm on Wednesday 16th December.

Re-opening 9am Monday 18th January.

Our social media pages will be monitored sporadically throughout the holiday period.