What an incredible National Volunteer Week (NVW) 2025! Throughout the week, our team had the privilege of connecting with members, volunteer-involving organisations, and dedicated volunteers. We hosted forums across the state, participated in inspiring member events, and celebrated the invaluable contributions of volunteers who make a difference every day.

NVW also saw the launch of our 2025 Tasmanian Volunteering Awards, with nominations now open until 16 July 2025.  This year’s Awards are extra special, as we celebrate their 10th anniversary. Nominating a volunteer goes beyond acknowledging an individual; it reinforces our collective culture, a culture where each act of giving contributes to community support in Tasmania.  We’re excited to receive your nominations and to honour the outstanding dedication of our volunteers.

Then, to top it all off, at the end of NVW, the Tasmanian Liberal government announced that they will remove Working with Vulnerable People registration fees for volunteers in a two-year pilot.  We obviously need to see this last longer than the two-year pilot, but we are very happy with this outcome. As many of you would be aware, this has been something Volunteering Tasmania has been lobbying for over a number of budget cycles, including recent joint advocacy with Clubs Tasmania. We thank them, our members, stakeholders and other peaks who have supported our call for change.
 

Mel Blake
Chief Executive Officer, Volunteering Tasmania

Nominations are now open for the Tasmanian Volunteering Awards 2025!

Each year, the Tasmanian Volunteering Awards celebrate the amazing work done by Tasmanian volunteers. This year marks 10 years of the Awards, and Volunteering Tasmania are excited to celebrate with you.

Through seven nomination categories we honour those that have dedicated their time to making a difference.

The categories open for nominations are:

2025-26 State Budget

The 2025-26 State Budget will be delivered today, 29 May 2025

Volunteering Tasmania has been advocating on behalf of our Members for a range of measures to support and strengthen the volunteering industry in Tasmania:

• The removal of volunteer fees for Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP).
• Funding to progress Tasmania's first Volunteering Strategy and Action Plan.
• A Child and Youth Safe Volunteering Education Program.
• Expansion of the Volunteer Connect Service to support accessible formal volunteering opportunities.
• Continue and boost the Emergency Volunteering Community Response to Extreme Weather (EV CREW).

We were thrilled with the Tasmanian Liberal government's announcement last week that they will remove Working with Vulnerable People registration fees for volunteers in a two-year pilot. This is a vital step towards addressing our declining formal volunteer rates and supporting an inclusive, thriving and celebrated culture of community participation in Tasmania.

A huge thank you to all of the Members who have supported our advocacy work over the past months. Volunteering Tasmania will be at the State Budget delivery today and we're keen to hear what support there will be for the volunteering industry.

Future of Volunteering Regional Forums 

Last week we met with volunteer managers/coordinators and volunteers across three regional forums in Ulverstone, Launceston, and Hobart, to explore what it means to care for our people and community, and what challenges we face along the way.

A big thank you to our amazing speakers Robyn Moore, Alicia van Ek, Robin Krabbe, Tram Tran and Joey Crawford, and Erin Splatt, and to everyone who attended. It was a privilege to be able to bring together so many incredible people from across the volunteering industry.

We're excited for the next steps of this project, but you don't have to wait for the next forums to have your say! We're always open to discussions about the barriers, challenges or opportunities for the Tasmanian volunteering industry. 

Volunteering Tasmania Constitution updated 30 April 2025

It was great to connect with members online and in person on Wednesday 30 April 2025 at the Special General Meeting. Members unanimously endorsed the updates to the Constitution and the VT Board thank those in attendance and those who were involved through submission of a proxy, for their ongoing commitment to ensuring Volunteering Tasmania is well positioned to effectively lead the volunteering industry into the future. 

The updated Constitution is available here on our website. 
 
Key outcomes from this include: 

• Inclusion of a minimum age parameter for individual members of 15 years of age
• Inclusion of ‘state’ in the list of organisation Members
• Inclusion of Peak Member as a new membership category
• Adjustment of removing the upper limit of the number of elected Directors, whilst maintaining a minimum requirement of elected Directors
• Inclusion of the wording ‘meets one or more of the following criteria’ at Clause 15.2
• Inclusion of a provision for a Chair to resign from their role as Chair, yet remain a Board Director for the continuation of their term.

As a result of these updates, we’re delighted for formally announce the ability for Volunteering Tasmania to provide membership connections with other Peak Bodies through this new membership category, and we look forward to increased cross-sector collaborations and supports. Further information on this can be found on our website: https://volunteeringtas.org.au/membership/.  

Membership renewals 2025-26

Over the coming few weeks we’ll be in touch with current members regarding membership renewals. 

This membership renewal process involves completing the member sign up / renewal form available here on our website, and once it’s received, we will send you an invoice. Once payment has been received, your membership will be included on the Member Directory on the website. 
 

Understanding the Role and Impact of Home and Community Care Volunteering  

Sector Stakeholders and Volunteers invited to upcoming forums 

Volunteering Tasmania is conducting a consultation project to better understand the experiences of volunteers in home and community care settings. 

Whether you are a volunteer or a sector stakeholder (HACC/CHSP funded organisation, volunteer manager, advocacy organisation or government agency involved in the home and community care sector) we are keen to hear from you!

Your insights will help highlight what's working well, what some of the challenges are, and how volunteering in this sector can be improved. 

Join us at one of our forums -  face-to-face in Hobart, Launceston and Ulverstone or online. 

If you are a sector stakeholder, please share this information with your volunteers so we can ensure their voices are heard.

Volunteer Involvement Cycle 

Tuesday 10 June 2025, 10-11.30am (online)

Join us as we introduce the Volunteer Involvement Cycle, a new tool that steps volunteer managers through the various stages of volunteer involvement – from preparing the organisation for volunteers, to recruiting and supporting volunteers, and finally, evaluating your volunteer program.  Each stage also includes sub-stages that guide you through the cycle.

This workshop, facilitated by Volunteering Tasmania will explore: 

• How to build a strong understanding of the stages of volunteer involvement.
• Tools, resources and strategies to demonstrate best practice in line with each stage of the Volunteer Involvement Cycle.
• How the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement apply to each stage of the cycle.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the Volunteer Involvement Cycle and how it can enhance your volunteer program. Sign up today!

1 CPD point is awarded for attending this session if you are a current participant in the CPD program.

National CHSP Volunteering Network Meeting - Countdown to 1 July 2025: the future of volunteering in Aged Care.

Tuesday 17 June 2025, 1-2pm (online)

At our next National CHSP Volunteering Network Meeting, we’ll be exploring the relationship between volunteering in Aged Care and the new Aged Care Act 2024, including feedback from the provider workshop and an overview of resources available to support providers through the change. The meeting will include a short presentation from the Advocacy and Volunteering Section of the Department of Health and Aged Care. 

Recognising that this meeting is being held at a busy time for the sector, this meeting will run for 45 mins, with additional time available for further discussion.  

Aboriginal Cultural Safety Awareness training for volunteer managers

Limilinaturi/Devonport - Wednesday 2nd July 2025, 10:30am- 4pm  

This cultural safety awareness training provides an introduction to culturally safe practices that influence relationships and communication with Aboriginal people.  It will help cultivate allyship in participants by reflecting on power and privilege, challenging assumptions, and recognising the injustices and systemic issues that have impacted and continue to impact Aboriginal people. 

Volunteering Tasmania is offering this training at a heavily subsidised rate for volunteer managers/coordinators, through the Volunteer Management Activity (VMA).  The VMA aims to build the capacity of volunteer involving organisations to provide inclusive and accessible volunteering opportunities and break down barriers to volunteering for specified priority groups, which includes First Nations people.  

Webinar: A Deep Dive into Standard 4 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Thursday 10 July 2025, 1-2pm (online)

This free webinar, presented as part of the Volunteering Management Activity (VMA) Program and in partnership with the Centre for Volunteering NSW, will focus on: 
Standard 4: Recruitment is equitable and diversity is valued.
 

Empower and lead:  Continuous Learning for Volunteer Managers 

Are you a volunteer manager or coordinator? It’s time to take your next professional step!

Volunteering Tasmania’s CPD Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers is designed to enhance your knowledge and to uphold the highest standards of professional practice in volunteer management. By participating, you will gain access to resources, events, and a learning and sharing environment with a supportive community of like-minded practitioners. This is a 12-month program, commencing at registration date.

The CPD program formally recognises the work you are doing to raise the standards of volunteer leadership in your organisation and across our state. On successful completion of the program, you will gain Professional Leaders of Volunteers (PLV) status for 12 months.

This program is exclusive to members of Volunteering Tasmania. Each organisational member of VT receives two placements in the program per financial year. Additional organisational or individual memberships placements can be secured for a $50 (ex GST) fee per person.

Register now to embark on this journey.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2025, we couldn't pick just one of our amazing Members to spotlight. It's been brilliant to see so many organisations sharing appreciation for their volunteers and the positive impact they make across Tasmania.

Here's a selection of some great #NVW25 moments!

Promote the positive impact of your volunteering activities through VT’s Member Spotlight. 

Volunteering stories from the VT team

If you're a member of Volunteering Tasmania and you'd like to share an event or feature on this monthly Community Noticeboard, please submit an expression of interest.

In June 2025 COTA Tasmania (Council on the Ageing) is proud to mark the 10th anniversary of its Lifelong Respect Walks, a campaign dedicated to preventing elder abuse. In 2025, the campaign continues to grow, with events across Tasmania aimed at raising awareness of elder abuse and promoting the safety and respect of older Tasmanians in our communities.

The Lifelong Respect Walks will be held across three locations on consecutive days, starting in Devonport on Wednesday, June 11, followed by Launceston on Friday, June 13 and concluding in Hobart on Monday, June 16. This expanded schedule will allow for greater participation, ensuring that all Tasmanians have the opportunity to engage in this important initiative.

In addition to the walks, the Wear Purple Campaign will continue to be a key part of the awareness effort. From June 9-14, participants across the state are encouraged to wear purple in solidarity with older Tasmanians and to show their support for ending elder abuse. Whether it’s through purple clothing, decorations, or themed events, every act of participation helps to raise visibility and show respect for older members of our community.

“Each year, one in six older people experience abuse, and it’s up to all of us to stand up for the rights and safety of older members of our community,” said Brigid Wilkinson. “Through education, awareness, and community action, we can make a real difference.”

Together, we can work toward a future where older Tasmanians are respected, valued and safe from harm. 

Let’s unite for lifelong respect and take a stand for the dignity and safety of older Tasmanians.   
 

1. Collect eligible containers – for a general guide, look for the 10c mark near the barcode of each container. If you’re unsure because you can’t see a 10c mark, simply use the Eligible Container Search tool to find out.
2. Return at a refund point – use the interactive map on the website or download the Recycle Rewards app to find your nearest refund point location. Once all locations are complete, 85% of Tasmanians will be within 10km of a refund point.
3. Get a 10c refund -return your eligible drink containers to a reverse vending machine or depot to get a 10c refund. Then, through the app, you can choose a voucher, get cash (if you’re at a depot), or donate to one of the 100+ Donation Partners .

Look out
You can’t see the warning signs of grooming and child sexual abuse if you’re not looking for them. Keep an eye on the children or teenagers you know. Learn to look for changes in their behaviour. Fear, withdrawal, changes in their appearance or mood are just some of the possible signs that something is not right. Learn more about spotting the signs of child sexual abuse on the Tell Someone website. 

Be present and listen
If a child or teenager approaches you to talk or you approach them with your own concerns, listen to them carefully and take them seriously. Let them know they’ve done the right thing by speaking up and that they have nothing to be embarrassed about. Avoid distractions and show them they have your full attention.

Take action
Protecting children and teenagers means taking action. If you see or hear something that makes you concerned for their  safety, don’t ignore it. As soon as you have any concerns, you must tell someone. Report concerns or get advice from the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line on 1800 000 123 or contact the police on 131 444. If the child or teenager is in immediate danger, call 000.

Find out more about who to tell and when on the Keeping Children Safe website. 

Play your part
Keeping children and teenagers safe from harm is everyone’s responsibility. By staying informed, looking out for the well-being of children, and acting when needed, we can all help create a safer community for young people.

The Office of the Independent Regulator is hosting upcoming in-person seminars about how to strengthen your organisation’s child-safe practices. 

The sessions are taking place in Hobart, Burnie, and Launceston on 16, 17, 18 June.   

Resources for National Burns Awareness Month

As part of National Burns Awareness Month in Tasmania in June,  the Royal Hobart Hospital is raising awareness about burns prevention and effective first aid treatment, especially during the winter months when burn incidents are more frequent. The campaign focuses on educating the community about common causes of burns and scalds, and how to prevent and manage them effectively. In 2025, this campaign is particularly focusses on Older Tasmanians.  
 
The Burns Unit has a range of electronic and hard copy resources available for home and community care and other providers who support communities.  For more information or to order resources, contact Bec Schrale rhhburnscnc@ths.tas.gov.au (0428 370 714).

• Grant Writing Workshops in June 2025
  
  The Tasmanian Community Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and Clubs Tasmania, are delivering grant writing workshops aimed at building community understanding on how to develop a project idea into an application for funding.  
  Launceston – 2 June
  Burnie – 3 June
  Wynyard – 4 June
  Hobart - 25 June
  Workshops are also being held in Latrobe and Sheffield in partnership with the local Council.
   

• Workforce Participation and Training Program

  Provided by Skills Tasmania and Jobs Tasmania, this grant program is aimed at supporting Tasmanians who are underrepresented in the workforce to connect with training and a pathway to employment. Closes 2pm 11 June 2025.
  
  The WPTP will fund eligible organisations to deliver 12-to-24-month projects that support individuals across the target cohorts to:
   - Increase participation in training that leads to better labour force participation, work-readiness or employment outcomes (in line with the Outcomes framework); and 
   - Support collaborative relationships between community organisations, training providers and employers.