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The 2025 Queensland Volunteering Conference was an unforgettable experience, bringing together passionate volunteers, industry leaders, and community changemakers from across Australia and beyond. Over two action-packed days, delegates engaged in insightful discussions, powerful storytelling, and collaborative learning—focusing on the theme: Volunteering for Change – Inspire. Empower. Ignite.  

As Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Brisbane so perfectly put it, “Volunteers are the heartbeat of Queensland.” This conference embodied that statement, bringing together dedicated individuals to discuss, learn, and collaborate on ways to strengthen their communities and drive meaningful change.

A Powerful Start

The conference kicked off with a warm welcome from The Honourable Ann Leahy, Minister for Local Government and Water, and Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, who reaffirmed the critical role of volunteers in Queensland’s resilience and community strength.

Keynote speaker Andy Gourley, shared the down-to-earth story of the inception and growth of Red Frogs Australia, born simply from his connection with a group of young people.

“The power of little is great,” was one of the most memorable quotes from his session.

Nathan Hulls, David Jongkuch, and Parris Smith also led thought-provoking discussions on youth engagement and strategies for attracting and retaining the next generation of volunteers.

The key takeaway from these sessions? “Go where they are.” Young people have the passion and skill set to offer, but organizations need to meet them on platforms and spaces they already engage with, like social media and school programs.

Deep Dives into Leadership, Inclusion and Innovation

From morning to afternoon, expert speakers tackled crucial topics shaping the future of volunteering. Highlights included:

Building Strong Volunteer Programs: Insights from Nadine Ramsay, Vicki Meyer, and Erin Davis on how to create sustainable and impactful volunteer networks.

“Volunteering is the glue that holds small communities like ours together.” – Erin Davis, Community Cake.

Effective Leadership Strategies: Toby Newstead and Tram Tran explored what it takes to be a great leader in the sector.

 The Power of Storytelling: Dr. Ruth Knight delivered a compelling session on how narratives can drive engagement and inspire action.

Andy Gourley, Red Frogs Australia
MC, Spencer Howson

Surprise Performance Closes Day One

The Absolutely Everybody Choir from UpBeat Arts closed day one with a memorable performance that lifted the energy in the room and left everyone feeling in awe of the passionate and talented performers.

Absolutely Everybody Choir

Volunteering Without Limits

Day two featured Mark Armstrong, Chief Officer at the Queensland State Emergency Service , who shared expert perspectives on empowering volunteer workforces, setting the stage for thought-provoking conversations.

Mark Pearce, CEO at Volunteering Australia, dived into the National Strategy for Volunteering, and the three-year action plan that powers it.

The Volunteering Without Limits panel with Professor Kathomi Gatwiri, Dr Stephen O’Grady, Emma Mercer, and Steve Coulter, pushed us to think about inclusivity and how to bring volunteers, of all abilities, to the table.

Ashley Fell explored the dynamics of leading intergenerational volunteer teams in her session, sharing a memorable powerpoint presentation that had the whole audience in fits of laughter.

In the final session, Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity, left us deeply inspired with her personal journey of creating change through volunteering.

One delegate summed up the experience perfectly:

 “I have attended many conferences throughout my career (I am now 70), and this would have to be the best I have ever attended! From the MC through to the speakers, volunteers assisting, time to meet new colleagues, and the catering—it was so well organized.”

Diana McMurtry, Empower Autism, Steve Coulter, Queenslanders with Disability Network, Prof. Kathomi Gatwiri, ARC DECRA Fellow, and Dr. Stephen O’Grady, Welcoming Australia.

Key Takeaways

Meet volunteers where they are: Engage young people through platforms they already use.

Recognize and value volunteers’ contributions: A strong, empowered workforce is key to sustainable volunteering.

Collaboration is everything: Volunteers, organizations, and leaders must work together to create real impact.

Continuous learning fuels change: From productivity hacks to intergenerational leadership, staying adaptable is crucial.

“I’ve been attending conferences for over 25 years, and I have to say—this one was incredibly polished and professional. I absolutely loved it.”

“There is a lot to take in, but I think reflection will assist me in reviewing my current program and see how we can further enhance it. I feel we definitely can work smarter and not harder, and I am keen to explore how we might do that.”

Photo Library

There were so many brilliant photos taken throughout the two days and we have collated the best ones to share with you in our photo library. Find your photo, and explore all the others, via the link below.

View Conference photos

Looking Ahead

The conference may be over, but the momentum continues. We encourage all delegates to take their newfound insights back to their communities, implement positive changes, and stay connected with fellow volunteers.

See you next year!

Have you nominated for the Queensland Volunteering Awards?

Nominations are open for the 2025 Queensland Volunteering Awards!

If you know a volunteer or organisation making meaningful change, submit your nomination online now at: https://vq.volunteeringqld.org.au/qva/

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