We are excited to be partnering with the Office of the Independent Regulator early next month to deliver concurrent in-person learning and connection opportunities for volunteer-involving organisations.  Our Future of Volunteering Connection Events are a chance to come together, share insights, and celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day on 5 November. This year’s theme, Be Bold. Make Change.  is a call to action to step beyond comfort zones, speak up for what matters, and champion the changes that help volunteering thrive.  If you haven’t registered for your local session, see below for more information. 

On another important note, we wait with great anticipation as the 2025-26 Interim State Budget is handed down next week. We’re hopeful it will confirm the removal of Registration to Work with Vulnerable People fees for volunteers, along with an additional investment in the Tasmanian Volunteering Strategy and Action Plan. These measures would mark a significant win for volunteering, and we’ll be sure to update our Members once confirmed and outline our next steps in advocacy.

As many of you know, the release of the Tasmanian Volunteering Strategy has been held up with an unexpected state election, but I have continued to follow up with government and have received confirmation that its release is expected soon. Once released, we hope to move quickly to finalise the Action Plan in partnership with the Department of Premier and Cabinet and begin implementing strategic actions to sustain and strengthen volunteering across Tasmania.

Thank you for your continued commitment and passion. There’s a lot to look forward to, and we’re excited to take these next steps together. 
 

Mel Blake
Chief Executive Officer, Volunteering Tasmania

Your voice matters — survey open until 17 November 2025, 11:59pm

Our annual stakeholder survey is a vital opportunity for you to share your experiences, insights, and ideas.  This is your chance to tell us what’s working, what could be improved, and how we can better support the people and communities we serve. 

Your insights help us strengthen our programs, advocate more effectively, and ensure we’re building a volunteer industry that is inclusive, responsive, and future-focused.

Take a few minutes to complete the survey today and help shape the future of volunteering in Tasmania. Your voice can make a real difference. 

Survey closes 17 November 2025, 11:59pm.

Upcoming state budget

Interim Budget released on 6 November 2025

VT will attend the Interim Budget Lock Up on 6 November to review the budget papers and consider its impact on the volunteering industry. We have continued to advocate for the removal of barriers to volunteering. We are keen to see the renewed commitment in the budget for the removal of Registration to Work with Vulnerable People fees for volunteers. While we engage in this process and monitor the outcome of our advocacy, we are also starting to prepare VT's submission to Treasury's consultation on the 2026-27 State Budget. There is a new submission form, and submissions are due to Treasury by 30 November 2025: Have Your Say – Pre-Budget Consultation | Treasury and Finance Tasmania.  

We'd love your views to help inform our submission. Please send us an Expression of Interest if you would like to join our Member Reference Group and be part of the conversation on key industry issues.

By being part of this group, you would also have a voice on policy issues similar to these:

Department of Justice: Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Amendment Bill 2025

Consultation closes 30 October 2025

The Tasmanian Government is working with other jurisdictions to strengthen protections for vulnerable people and achieve greater consistency with working with children checks nationally. The draft Bill would amend the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013 (the RWVP Act) to reflect one of the agreement items from a recent meeting of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General (SCAG):

"To urgently work towards implementation, by the end of 2025, of mutual recognition of negative notices (Working With Children Checks (WWCC)) declines and revocations) so that a person denied a WWCC, or whose WWCC has been revoked, in one jurisdiction cannot be granted or hold a WWCC in another jurisdiction."

The consultation sets out that Tasmania's Act already provides that a person denied registration, or who has had their registration cancelled, in another jurisdiction cannot apply for registration in Tasmania for a period of 5 years unless there has been a significant and exceptional change in circumstances. Where a person is already registered in Tasmania, an interstate decision to deny or cancel their registration would currently result in a risk assessment under our Act rather than the automatic cancellation agreed to by SCAG so amendments are sought.

The short consultation closes 30 October 2025. VT is monitoring developments and will share updates when they are available.

Tasmanian Disaster Resilience Strategy 

Short survey open until 14 November 2025

Volunteer support following disasters is immeasurable. VT has participated in a stakeholder workshop as part of the Department of Premier and Cabinet's development of the next Disaster Resilience Strategy. It is expected a new Strategy will be released in early 2026.

A survey is now open on the vision and guiding principles for the Strategy which will help guide collective efforts, decision-making and investment and you can have your say.

National approach to worker screening in the care economy

Volunteering Australia submission

Volunteering Tasmania worked with the other State and Territory volunteering peak bodies to highlight the role of volunteers as an essential, but distinct, component of the care and support workforce. The Volunteering Australia submission supported improving the effectiveness and efficiency of worker screening, but recommended a risk-proportionate approach and meaningful consultation with the volunteering industry.

Share Your Story: Call for Volunteer Manager stories

We want to hear your stories!

This International Volunteer Managers Day (5 November 2025) Volunteering Australia are recognising the leadership of Volunteer Managers who are shaping the future of volunteering across Australia.

Tell us about the bold steps you’ve taken in your role, the challenges you’ve faced, the changes you’ve made and the moments that remind you why this work matters.

Member opportunity: Annual General Meeting Invitation

Wednesday 19 November 2025, 5:30-7:00pm (in-person and online)

You are warmly invited to join us for the AGM of Volunteering Tasmania Inc.
Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location: Sustainability Learning Centre, 50 Olinda Grove, Mount Nelson and online via Teams video conferencing
Light refreshments will be provided. 

Agenda for the 2025 Annual General Meeting
 1. Confirmation of minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting 
 2. Presentation of the Annual Report
 3. Adoption of the Annual Report
 4. Presentation of the audited Financial Statements for 2024-2025
 5. Adoption of the audited Financial Statements for 2024-2025
 6. Declaration of Directors
 7. Appointment of the auditor for 2025-2026

All relevant documents will be made available electronically to registered attendees in advance of the AGM, along with the Teams video conferencing meeting link for those joining us online. 

Guest Speakers 
Come along and hear from some of the 2025 Tasmanian Volunteering Award winners and finalists about their experiences and insights as key champions of volunteering in Tasmania. 
For catering purposes and to ensure we meet quorum requirements, please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Future of Volunteering Connection Events

Last chance to register! Sign-up before 11:59pm tonight (30 October 2025)

Join us for the Future of Volunteering Connection Events in recognition of International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMD) — limited places are still available for events in the North and the North West:

South: Monday 3 November 2025, 12noon - 2pm — wait list only
North: Wednesday 5 November 2025, 9:30 - 11:30am — last few tickets available!
North West: Thursday 6 November 2025, 9:30 - 11:30am — last few tickets available!

Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer-Involving Organisation

Wednesday 5 November 2025, 12:00-1:00pm (online)

Inclusion matters. Based on key learnings from the Inclusive Volunteering Pathways to Employment Program and delivered by The Centre for Volunteering NSW, this engaging workshop will explore how to build an inclusive community where people of all abilities and backgrounds can contribute. 

Discover how inclusive volunteering can enrich experiences and build meaningful connections. Through case studies and practical strategies, we’ll explore how it fosters belonging, strengthens workplace culture, and empowers everyone to contribute. This session invites you to reflect on the impact of inclusion — and your role in advancing it.

Webinar: A Deep Dive into Standard 8 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Thursday 6 November 2025, 1:00-2:00pm (online)

This free webinar, presented as part of the Volunteering Management Activity (VMA) Program by The Centre for Volunteering NSW, will focus on Standard 8 of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement: Policies and Practices are Continuously Improved. This standard recognises that effective volunteer involvement results from a system of best practice, regular review and continuous improvement.

The webinar takes a deep dive into the Standard and what you can do to implement it in your organisation.

National CHSP Volunteer Network Meeting
New year: renewed purpose — CHSP volunteering in 2026

Tuesday 25 November 2025, 1:00-2:00pm (online)

2025 has been a big year for CHSP providers, with some significant changes in the sector.  To end the year and to provide some inspiration as we move towards 2026, at our November meeting we will showcase some exciting initiatives in CHSP volunteering.  In particular, we'll explore how some volunteer programs are adapting their approach to meet the needs of their volunteers, their organisation and the broader community.  

Some key themes we'll cover include:

• How volunteer programs can attract a new crowd.
• Volunteers as connectors.
• Innovation in roles, training, and learning and development.
• Participants as volunteers.

Following presentations from our guest speakers, there will be an opportunity to share what is happening in your organisation. Recognising that this meeting is being held at a busy time for the sector, the meeting will run for 60 mins.
 

Let's Talk Child and Youth Safe Volunteering

Wednesday 26 November 2025, 12:00-2:00pm (online)

Free online session delivered by Volunteering Tasmania in partnership with the Office of the Independent Regulator, Youth Network of Tasmania and Tasmanian Youth Voice Network. Including:

• An overview of the Child and Youth Safe Framework, including practical guidance to strengthen your organisation’s child-safe policies and practices. 
• The role of youth participation in creating and maintaining child and youth safe organisations. 
• A young person’s perspective on how young people experience and contribute to safe and inclusive volunteering environments. 
   

Workshop: Applying the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Wednesday 3 December 2025, 10:00-11:30am (online)

Join us for a workshop on applying the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement in your volunteer-involving organisation. The workshop includes:

• An overview of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement (the Standards).
• A guide to implementation.
• A discussion of the benefits and challenges you may encounter.
• Pathways for tracking your organisation's progress in relation to the Standards.
• An outline of how the Volunteer Involvement Cycle relates to the Standards. 

Volunteering Tasmania Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points: 1 CPD point is awarded for attending this online session. To learn more about the CPD Program with Volunteering Tasmania, please see below!

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.

Launceston Volunteers for Community

When you ask Pauline why she’s a volunteer with Launceston Volunteers for Community (LVFC), her response is instant: “You’re doing something good for yourself and for whoever you’re helping.”   

As one of LVFCs volunteers, Pauline takes people shopping and to appointments. Together with her client Helen, she recently featured in a Volunteering Tasmania’s video showcasing home and community care volunteering (keep an eye on our socials to see these soon!) 

LVFC helps roughly 400 clients in the Launceston area to maintain their independence and stay connected. Whether it’s taking people to appointments, mowing lawns, dog-walking, or helping with the shopping, volunteers offer practical support and social contact. 

Having serviced the community for almost 50 years, LVFC is committed to supporting volunteers to provide safe, friendly, efficient and sustainable services to the community. General Manager Kylie Bryan notes that, in addition to using the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement as a guiding framework — “we also focus on placing a volunteer in the right role for them and then supporting them in that role, through a warm, welcoming culture, and the tools to succeed through training and resources."    

The result is a stimulating and rewarding experience for both clients and volunteers that also allows clients to remain living independently for longer.  

As Pauline says: “I do really love it so I would suggest to anybody if you’ve got a little bit of time… you’re helping someone out.”

If you’re interested in volunteering or finding out more about LVFC, contact Jane or Skye on 6336 5147. 

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

International Volunteer Managers Day

Resources to help celebrate and inspire volunteer leaders

This 5 November 2025, International Volunteer Managers Day will shine a spotlight on the bold leaders who make volunteering possible. 

This year’s theme, Be Bold. Make Change, recognises that for change to occur, we often need to step outside our own comfort zone. Encourage others to ‘Be BOLD. Make Change’ with specially created #IVMDay25 campaign templates. 

Christmas Volunteering

The festive season is a time for giving — and what better gift than your time?

We've created a helpful resource and a dedicated page on our website filled with ideas for meaningful volunteering opportunities this Christmas. 

If you have any suggestions or volunteering opportunities available with your organisation, we'd love to hear from you!  Contact team@volunteeringtas.org.au or phone (03) 6231 5550.   

Volunteering stories from the VT team

Caroline writes: Hi my name is Caroline.  I am one of Volunteering Tasmania’s volunteers and I am proud to be part of this organisation.  I always felt I am part of the team from the board down and I enjoy helping others. The team have been very helpful.  From the conference I learnt not to take on too much, otherwise I would get run down and sick. I got experience volunteering virtually during covid. I’ve learned about governance and conflicts of interest from being on the board.  

These are some of the ways I have contributed to Volunteering Tasmania over the past 20 years: 

• Being a member of the board.   
• Being on the Participant Advisory Group for the Inclusive Volunteering Program - was able to put into practice what I have learnt in my disability course.
• Being part of the VMA Volunteers with Disability Awareness Campaign – where I told my volunteering story for an article and also spoke at an online event.
• Providing support for several State Volunteering Award Ceremonies.
• Supporting Conferences, Symposiums and National Volunteer Week events.
• Working on a grants database.
• Contributing to a paper on promoting inclusion for Volunteering Australia.
• Participated in some team meetings, both online and in person.
• Wrote an article about Cancer Council daffodil day for e-news.
• Spoke at and assisted at a volunteering information event for Senior’s Week.
• Part of the Christmas Celebration Organising Committee.
• Contributed to team wellbeing via MS Team chats - which I love! 

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.

Hobart: Monday 3 November 2025
Launceston: Wednesday 5 November 2025
Ulverstone: Thursday 6 November 2025

The OIR is running a series of in-person workshops for volunteer-involved organisations on the Child and Youth Safe Framework in November.

During these two-hour in-person workshops, you’ll take part in practical activities that build key child-safe practices and policies.  You will:

• Choose the child-safe area you’d like to focus on.
• Receive real-time support, tools, and resources.
• Leave with foundational child-safe work for your organisation already underway—or with existing work refined.

• meet people,
• be part of something meaningful,
• learn about the native plants and animals that live in Hobart's bushland reserves.

So why not get involved?  Stay up-to-date with our Bushcare program by following them on Facebook and sign up for email updates to ensure you are the first to hear about new Bushcare activities.

Save the date for this two-day workshop program for transforming self and systems — a social professional program facilitated by Melinda Maddock and Dr Lisa Schimanski.

• Teddy Sheen VC Memorial Grants Program 
  The Teddy Sheen VC Memorial Grants Program offers funding to support Tasmanian ex-service organisations undertaking minor capital works (grants up to $20,000) or purchasing equipment/ delivering welfare initiatives that benefit veterans and ex-service personnel by supporting wellbeing or strengthening community connection (grants up to $10,000). Funding is also available for community organisations constructing, maintaining or repairing war memorials (grants up to $10,000).  Applications close 7 November 2025, 2pm. 
   
• DPAC Not-for-Profit Organisation Disaster Preparedness Grant Program

  Natural disasters and other emergencies have the potential to significantly disrupt
  lives. DPAC are offering grants of up to $20,000 for not-for-profit organisations who provide critical personal support services to the community to be better prepared and enabled to continue to provide these services during a disaster. Grants are available to develop a plan for the continuity of their critical services during and after a disaster (service continuity plan); and/or implement identified priority actions in their plan. Applications close 5 December 2025, 2pm.
   

• Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital funding
  The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. 
  Small grants up to $10,000 are available for grassroots, community-led initiatives. Targeted larger leverage grants of up to $50,000 are available to projects that focus on strengthening the digital skills, confidence and safety of adults. Applications close 4 December 2025, 5pm.
   
• Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Prepare & Recover funding
  The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Prepare & Recover program supports communities in remote, rural and regional communities across Australia to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare for future climate related impacts, or recover from existing disasters. Grants up to $25,000 are available, applications close 4 December 2025, 5pm.