What is Volunteering Queensland?
For more than 40 years, Volunteering Queensland has proudly served as the state’s peak body for growing, sustaining and valuing volunteering.
We believe in the power of volunteering to bring people together, strengthen communities and create positive change. Every day, ordinary Queenslanders create an extraordinary impact through volunteering. They improve wellbeing, foster a sense of purpose and belonging, and help build more resilient, connected and inclusive communities.
Volunteering Queensland proudly represents more than 350 member volunteer-involving organisations and supports thousands more through the wider volunteering ecosystem, engaging millions of Queenslanders who generously contribute their time, skills and expertise for the benefit of others.
As Queensland’s leading voice for volunteering, we advocate for the value of volunteering and support a confident, skilled and future-ready sector. We work collaboratively with government, community and business partners, volunteer-involving organisations, and volunteers themselves to strengthen and grow volunteering across the state.
While often unseen, volunteering is an essential part of Queensland’s social and economic infrastructure. Behind every volunteer contribution are organisations and community groups delivering sport, arts and culture, health, education, social services, environmental conservation, animal welfare, emergency response and countless other activities that enrich community life.
Our work spans advocacy, research, training and professional development, volunteer engagement and management, capacity building, inclusive volunteering practices, communications and campaigns, and volunteer recognition initiatives.
We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the Queensland Government, which spans more than four decades and has helped strengthen volunteering, build organisational capability, support community resilience and connect Queenslanders through meaningful participation. We also deliver specialist initiatives including EV Crew, Queensland’s emergency recovery volunteering program, corporate volunteering programs, and nationally recognised training through the Australian College of Volunteering.
Volunteers enrich our communities, strengthen our state and make Queensland a better place to live. That’s why we’re committed to growing, sustaining and valuing volunteering, and creating a future where volunteers are recognised as the heart of Queensland.
Our Strategic Plan 2026-2029
Ordinary people, extraordinary impact
Volunteering is a vital contributor to Queensland’s social, economic and environmental wellbeing — touching the lives of communities right across the state. Volunteering Queensland’s Strategic Plan (2026-2029) plan sets out how Volunteering Queensland will grow, sustain and champion that impact over the next three years.
Our vision: Volunteers are recognised as the heart of Queensland.
Our purpose: To represent and support volunteers and volunteering.
Our mission: To encourage and enable more Queenslanders to connect and contribute.
Our values:
- Accountable: We act with integrity and purpose to effectively advocate for volunteering.
- Collaborative: We foster proactive partnerships that create lasting impact together.
- Welcoming: We make it easy for everyone to safely connect, participate and feel valued.
- Courgeous: We lead boldly, adapt positively, and innovate for greater impact.
To learn more about our impact and the actions to grow, sustain and value volunteering, read our strategic plan.
Volunteering Queensland currently operates as an Incorporated Association and is progressing towards becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Our people
Our Patron
Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland
It’s an honour to have the Governor of Queensland as our Patron. In her role as Patron, Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM supports our work and isa passionate champion for volunteers across the state.
Read more about Her Excellency the Governor of Queensland
Our Board
Meet our skilled and passionate Board of Directors, who bring with them a broad range of knowledge and experience that we hold so valuable to our organisation.
Dr. Linda Lavarch
Board President
John Livesey
Board Treasurer
Nunzia Confessore
Board Director
Simon Irwin
Board Director
Chris McCarthy
Board Director
Brett Stenson
Board Director
Our Team
Jane Hedger
Chief Executive Officer
Jane Hedger
Chief Executive Officer
Jane Hedger is CEO of Volunteering Queensland, the state peak body for volunteering. She is an accomplished executive leader with experience across government, community and the not-for-profit sectors, with expertise spanning organisational change, strategic service delivery, customer experience, digital transformation and sector advocacy.
Jane has held senior executive roles in Queensland Government departments, leading large-scale transformation initiatives, operational reviews, and statewide service delivery. She is a Certified Board Chair and experienced board director and currently serves as Chair of Challenge DV, Chair – Marine Rescue Queensland Advisory Board, and Asia Pacific Director on the global IAVE board, as well as sitting on several Qld Government advisory boards.
A lifelong volunteer and community leader, Jane is a strong advocate for good governance, diversity, organisational effectiveness, and social impact. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to strengthening volunteering and building resilient communities across Queensland.
Christina Sharpe
Community Partnerships Manager
Andrew Bartlett
Policy & Advocacy Advisor
Jovana Juloska
Senior Finance Manager
Glenda Viner
Engagement Project Lead
Helen Maguire
Marketing and Communications Manager
Rhee Duthie
Sector Engagement and Development Manager
Susie Musgrove
Membership Engagement Coordinator
Tanya Neville
Regional Engagement & Disaster Lead
Damita Oldmeadow
Community Development Officer
Imogen Barnes
Engagement & Events Coordinator
Chantal Bennett
Sector Support Officer
Jackie Choquenot
RTO & Partnerships Manager
Chris Webb
RTO & Compliance Coordinator
Anika Blades
Trainer and Assessor/ Content Developer
Life Members
Scott Black
Life Member
Paul Gallagher
Life Member
David Hamm OAM
Life Member & Volunteering Queensland Ambassador
Perry Hembury
Life Member
Julie-Anne Mee
Life Member
Diane Morgan
Life Member & Volunteering Queensland Ambassador
Michael Powell
Life Member
Brett Williamson OAM
Life Member
Ross Wiseman AM
Life Member
Networks, Partners and Supporters
Volunteering Queensland sits within a wider ecosystem that makes our work possible — our member organisations, a statewide and national volunteering network, and the partners who invest in volunteering across Queensland.
Members
We’re proud to be a member-based organisation, representing over 350 volunteer-involving organisations whose commitment to volunteering helps strengthen communities across Queensland.
Our Networks
We work alongside a statewide network of Volunteer Resource Centres and national and interstate volunteering peak bodies, helping lead a thriving and sustainable volunteering movement.
Read more about our networks, partners and supporters
Partners and Supporters
We’re grateful for the support of our government, corporate, education and community partners — including the schools involved in our Active Volunteering program, delivered through our Registered Training Organisation.
