April is a month brimming with activity — a time of renewal, reflection, and community. With Easter marking a moment of connection and tradition, and ANZAC Day reminding us to pause and honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, it’s a month that holds deep significance.

At work and beyond, we often find ourselves caught up in the rush of deadlines and commitments. But amidst the busyness, I hope you can take a moment to step back — to recharge, reconnect, and reflect on what truly matters. Whether it’s spending time with family, enjoying the changing seasons, or simply taking a quiet pause, investing in your wellbeing is just as important as driving success.

Next month we look forward to National Volunteer Week (NVW) between 19-25 May 2025: Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. This special event highlights the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go. National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’. Let’s acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building inclusive and thriving communities.

Along with Volunteering Australia, we encourage all volunteer involving organisations, governments, researchers, corporates, and other enabling organisations, to proudly promote the upcoming celebrations and use the resources widely to help increase the awareness of the vital role volunteers play in our lives. Visit National Volunteer Week Resources - Volunteering Australia to get involved. 

During NVW, we have many exciting activities planned, including the Future of Volunteering Regional Forums (see below details) and the launch of the 2025 Tasmanian Volunteering Awards!  Who will you nominate?

Mel Blake
Chief Executive Officer, Volunteering Tasmania

Change for Children Strategy

'This strategy not only commits to protecting children but also empowers adults, especially those who have survived abuse, to contribute to a future where no child is left to wonder, "Who is looking after me?"' - Premier Jeremy Rockliff

The Tasmanian Government has released Change for Children, a 10-year strategy designed to uphold the rights of children and young people by preventing, identifying, and responding to child sexual abuse. This critical initiative strengthens our collective efforts to ensure every child in Tasmania grows up safe, healthy, and supported.

A plain English summary of the strategy is available here.

Be the voice for the global future of volunteering

The International Association of Volunteer Effort (IAVE) wants to hear from you!

The UN General Assembly has officially declared 2026 the International Year for Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026)—a once-in-a-generation chance to spotlight the power of volunteering to build a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.

IAVE want to take this great opportunity to focus attention on the power and potential of volunteering. Help shape a Global Call to Action that identifies what needs to change—and who can help make it happen.

New Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) website

Direct and easier access to everything RWVP for applicants, registrants and employers.

Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) has launched a new website. Whether you’re an individual applying for or renewing your RWVP, or an employer checking the status of new workers or volunteers, our new website will provide more direct and easier access to everything you need to know about RWVP. The website will also house guides to explain the current RWVP scheme, and news about how the RWVP scheme is changing.

If you'd like to discuss how the RWVP Scheme impacts volunteers in your organisation, or your own volunteering, please reach out to us at policy@volunteeringtas.org.au. 

Volunteering Australia have released their Federal Election Platform

Volunteer Nation: Positive Impact, Strong Communities

Volunteering is essential to the fabric of Australian society. It brings social, cultural, and economic benefits to the nation. Investing now in the activities and resources that sustain volunteering will build on the creation of the National Strategy for Volunteering and the strong history of volunteering in Australia.

Volunteering Australia calls on all political parties and candidates to commit to:

• Implement the National Strategy for Volunteering
• Provide cost-of-living relief to volunteers
• Increase funding for the Volunteer Management Activity
• Reform Volunteer Insurance
• Develop a National Volunteer Passport
   

VT Special General Meeting and Panel Discussion

Wednesday 30 April 2025, 6-7pm
Online or in person at Criterion House (in Mathers House), Nipaluna/Hobart

Don't forget to register for our Special General Meeting, followed by a not-to-be-missed panel discussion! We invite Members and non-Members to come along and hear from our panel of industry experts discussing ‘Leadership through Partnership’:  

• Dr Toby Newstead, Leadership Scholar at the University of Tasmania  
• Michelle Ewington OAM, Board President of Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania  
• Dr Lynden Leppard, Safeguarding Children Program Manager at the Local Government Association of Tasmania   
• Mel Blake, CEO of Volunteering Tasmania  

Facilitated by Sarah Wilcox, Board Chair of Volunteering Tasmania.   

Aboriginal Cultural Safety Awareness training for volunteer managers/coordinators 

Nipaluna/Hobart - Friday 2 May 2025, 9:30am – 3pm 
Limilinaturi/Devonport - Wednesday 2 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.   

Tickets are limited, so register now! 

Future of Volunteering – National Volunteer Week Forums   

Ulverstone - Tuesday 20 May 2025, 9:30am - 12:45pm
Launceston - Wednesday 21 May 2025, 9:30am - 12:45pm
Nipaluna/Hobart - Friday 23 May 2025, 9:30am - 12:45pm

Register now for our upcoming Future of Volunteering forums to be held during National Volunteer week. Our Future of Volunteering project aims to support and strengthen volunteering across Tasmanian communities in fresh and innovative ways. Our key objectives are to help break down barriers to formal volunteering and support organisations to develop meaningful networks and strategic partnerships.  

The forums planned for May will focus on ‘Caring for our People and Community’, with a specific focus on volunteer support structures and wellbeing, as well as the volunteer experience and the impact this has on wellbeing. Come along to one of our 3 forums during National Volunteer week and hear 2 of our confirmed speakers Robyn Moore and Alicia van Ek. 

Volunteer Involvement Cycle Masterclass 

Tuesday 10 June 2025, 10-11:30am 

Join us as we introduce the Volunteer Involvement Cycle, a new tool that steps volunteer managers/coordinators 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. One CPD point is awarded for attending this session if you are a current participant in the CPD program. 

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. 

Print Radio Tasmania is a unique community radio station that fills a crucial information gap for individuals with print disabilities across Tasmania. Established in 1982, they're Australia's first radio station dedicated to transforming written information into accessible audio. They operate 24/7, broadcasting a diverse range of content, including news, interviews, weather updates, and, most importantly, readings of printed materials like newspapers and books.

Their service is designed to ensure that those with vision impairments, intellectual disabilities, or other conditions that hinder access to print can stay informed and engaged.

"We believe everyone has the right to access information and participate fully in their community. Welcoming participants from the Inclusive Volunteering Program has had a great impact. It has enriched our programming, brought diverse perspectives to our content, and fostered a stronger sense of community. By actively involving individuals with disabilities in all aspects of our work, from volunteering to consulting, we ensure our services truly meet the needs of our listeners." - Print Radio Admin/Production Coordinator

"I enjoy my volunteering role at Print Radio. I like reading to people and enjoy sharing stories with them. I like the structure of my planned shift. At first, I was a little nervous if things might go wrong, but Print Radio has been very supportive, and I am learning new technical skills." - Print Radio Volunteer and IVP Participant. 

Print Radio Production Coordinator and a Volunteer Presenter, in the radio booth.

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

Young people in volunteering – consultation report  

The Volunteering Tasmania Volunteer Management Activity (VMA) used co-design principles to help understand the barriers and motivations of young people volunteering and worked together with key stakeholders to come up with advice for organisations to better include young people in volunteering.  The extensive stakeholder consultation has been summarised into this report, released recently to celebrate Youth Week!   

Something for everyone – National Volunteer Week resources

Celebrate your volunteers 19-25 May 2025 

Volunteering Australia have lots of resources available online to help you to celebrate your volunteers this May.  Why not send a free e-card Certificate of Appreciation or Thank You card directly to your volunteer’s email? 

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.

TasCOSS Changemakers Program

Apply now! Lead with purpose. Empower your community. May-October 2025

Are you passionate about social change? Do you want to understand more deeply how your work in the community services industry connects to the big picture? Then the TasCOSS Changemakers Program is for you! 

The new TasCOSS Changemakers Program is here to help you grow, connect and drive real impact in Tasmania. 

This program, which runs from May-October 2025, is designed for emerging leaders in the Tasmanian community services industry who want to deepen their understanding of the industry and enhance their ability to lead and drive effective social change.

Expressions of interest close at 5pm, Wednesday 30 April 2025. 

Seniors Week

13-19 October 2025 - Celebrate a respectful, age friendly island! 

Ageing is a time of possibility, opportunity, and influence, and Seniors Week is a time to come together, to host events, and to share, learn, and connect with people in your community.

Our theme for 2025 Connecting Generations through Food is something that brings us all together. We use food to connect, show love, to tell stories, to mark milestones, and to bring people together from all walks of life. For 2025, we’re encouraging Tasmanians across generations to come together and explore how you can use food to host an event that helps you connect with your community.

Registrations close Monday, 7 July 2025.

City of Hobart My Street community event applications 

Expression of Interest Applications close 9am, 1 May 2025

Applications are now open to hold a community event in your neighbourhood, supported by the City of Hobart. This is a great opportunity for several people in a suburb or street to work together to create a local and free community event to bring people to their area, build connections and showcase their neighbourhood. Your event can be held on the street, in parks, or in community spaces. More information is on the website and expression of interests are open now.

Healthy Ageing Tasmania’s new website and webinar series

Healthy Ageing Tasmania are excited to launch our new Healthy Ageing Website and webinar series!

Explore all of our evidence-based resources at www.health.tas.gov.au/healthyageing. Crafted by expert healthy ageing dietitians and physical activity officers for you and your clients, resources include:

• healthy ageing factsheets 
• newsletter articles about eating well 
• activity kits to explore eating well and staying hydrated with your clients 

Discover our new webinar series 
We are also excited to launch our brand-new webinar series. Each webinar is under 20 minutes, perfect for watching during lunch, in a staff meeting or while enjoying your morning coffee.  Topics include: 

• eating well to age well 
• malnutrition in older people 
• the how of eating 
• food insecurity and older people 
• eating well with dementia 
• dining with dignity. 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 

Tasmanians Unite for Lifelong Respect on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day | COTA Tasmania. 

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. The Lifelong Respect Walks will be held across three locations on consecutive days:

• Devonport on Wednesday, 11 June 2025
• Launceston on Friday, 13 June 13 2025
• Hobart on Monday, 16 June 2025

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. 

EdConnect Australia Workshop: ‘Being Trauma Informed’ 

Facilitated by Danie McNeil, CEO of EdConnect Australia. 

This workshop is open to all, and a certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the workshop. The workshop addresses the behaviour that arises due to experienced trauma, and how best to support individuals and show them care. These strategies and insights help us relate to all ages and people who have varying degrees of trauma.  

This is an introductory course and does NOT provide accreditation. 

Workshop will be offered in two locations: Burnie/Wynyard area and Devonport/Ulverstone area.   

• Friday 30th May, commencing 2pm – 4.30pm approx. 
• Saturday 31st May commencing 9am – 11.30am approx. 

Cost: $20* per person, which includes morning or afternoon tea. 
* A full refund will be given to anyone when commencing volunteering with EdConnect. 

• Community Road Safety Grants Program 2025 
  The Community Road Safety Grants (CRSG) program aims to provide community groups in Tasmania with the opportunity to develop and deliver small scale, local programs within their communities consistent with the Towards Zero Strategy. 
   
  Funding is available in two categories: Small Grants up to $5,000 and Medium/Large Grants up to $35,000. Applications must be received by 02 May 2025. 
   

• MyState Foundation Grants 
  The MyState Foundation grants program supports not-for-profit organisations that work towards empowering the youth of Tasmania. Each year, they grant between $1,000 and $10,000 to eligible organisations; and to date, we have awarded over $2.9 million in grants to more than 140 not-for-profit organisations, for 380 initiatives. 
   
  These are a rich, diverse group of organisations and charities that are engaged in education or development projects for young people. They may provide opportunity for further education; increase financial literacy or assist young people living with a disability to access special education, care and support. Applications close 02 May 2025.   
   

• TasNetworks Community Grants Program 2025 
  Applications for the TasNetworks Community Grants Program open Thursday 1 May 2025. If your incorporated community group or not-for-profit organisation has an idea for a project that strengthens community resilience or helps ease cost-of-living pressures, now is the time to start preparing!

  Grants of up to $10,000 will be available for eligible organisations operating programs within Tasmania. Applications close Friday 30 May 2025.