VQ News December 2024

VQ supports over 300 member organisations | Get involved in volunteering!

Last week Volunteering Queensland was delighted to celebrate International Volunteer Day with our volunteers, board members, staff, members, volunteering involving organisations, and special guests at a morning tea at Government House hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland and Professor Graeme Nimmo. This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the efforts and achievements of volunteers throughout Queensland.

We feel very privileged to have Her Excellency and Professor Graeme Nimmo as our patrons. The Governor has a deep understanding of the importance of volunteering to Queensland. At every opportunity, when speaking at community events, she pays tribute to volunteers, and their value to our communities and vulnerable populations.

This week we will be joining Queensland Minister The Honourable Ann Leahy MP at Parliament House for the launch of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering. Through this Inquiry, the Queensland Government expresses its commitment to reducing barriers and creating improved pathways to volunteering. We are excited for the opportunity this Inquiry represents to raise greater understanding and awareness of volunteering and for the Government and the volunteering community to work together to address our current and future challenges.  

This is our final newsletter for the year, so I want to wish you all a happy and safe festive season. I hope you have an opportunity to rest and recharge. Christmas is the season of giving, which is the perfect time to acknowledge volunteer giving. For those of you working and volunteering across this period, providing essential services – thank you.

If you have some spare time up your sleeve over the summer, we’re always looking for more emergency volunteers willing to help during disaster recovery efforts. You can find more information about emergency volunteering and register to join our Community Army at emergencyvolunteering.com.au.

I am very excited about the endless possibilities in front of us in 2025, and look forward to working with you again.

Jane Hedger
Volunteering Queensland CEO

International Volunteer Day 2024

Last Thursday, we were delighted to attend a morning tea at Government House to celebrate International Volunteer Day alongside staff, members, board members, volunteers, and those working in volunteer-involving organisations.

Hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, and Professor Graeme Nimmo, the morning tea provided all of us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the power of volunteering in our communities, connect with one another, and celebrate the incredible volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations that continue to make a difference in our communities.

Discover the power of Seniors Volunteering

Volunteering Queensland is leading a new initiative to increase volunteering rates among older Queenslanders. By providing resources, support, and local connections, Volunteering Queensland will empower seniors to engage in meaningful volunteer roles that enhance their lives and communities.

Seniors Volunteering is a program designed to help Queensland’s older community members (aged 65 and over) to stay connected and continue making a difference in their local community through volunteering. Supported by funding from the Queensland Government, this pilot project will trial supports that create pathways to volunteering for older Queenslanders.

We are looking for a Project Support Volunteer in Brisbane and Volunteer Ambassadors in the Fraser Coast to support this project. If you are interested, find out more about the roles and apply via the link below.

Online self-assessment tool: National Standards for Volunteer Involvement 

As part of a national partnership with Breaking New Ground (BNG), we are pleased to be able to offer organisations access to an easy-to-use, online self-assessment tool to help you demonstrate your adherence with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. 

The BNG tool enables organisations to measure their performance against the National Standards, offering: 

• Assessment of your organisation’s performance against the Standards. 
• Recommendations on how to achieve compliance with the Standards. 
• Automatically generated action plan for good practice. 
• Workflow management tools. 
• Additional supporting resources. 

You can apply for complimentary access to the tool. Places are limited and we recommend you complete a high-level gap analysis before applying.

Yeah the girls! How these women are sharing the dignity

Member feature written by Meg Baresic

Operating out of a pink building (yes, it’s true) on the corner of a bustling main road in Virginia, Share the Dignity is an organisation that makes a real and tangible difference to the lives of women, girls, and those who menstruate. In particular, the organisation focuses on helping those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, domestic violence, or poverty.   

Crafting a path for change

Member feature written by Meg Baresic

Craft has always played an important role in the lives of women globally, and founders of The Nest, Roz and Jodie, harbour a particularly personal love for it. What began as craft groups hosted for their daughters’ friends has, over time, evolved into a bustling social enterprise. Having now amassed over 100 volunteers and a small but mighty team of staff, The Nest has fostered a safe space for women to bask in the power of craft.

Volunteering Queensland is proud to support organisations like Share the Dignity and The Nest, and their volunteer involving activities. If you have a story to share, please contact membership@volunteeringqld.org.au to be featured.

Applications open

Plan now for your next qualification. The Cert IV in Coordination of Volunteer Programs will boost your volunteer programs and support you in attracting more volunteers. 

---

Barriers to Volunteering – Resource

In 2023, all volunteering peak bodies commissioned a report to identify barriers to volunteering and how to improve access and inclusion for First Nations people, people with disability, and newly arrived migrants.

A snapshot series has been created to share the key findings, so volunteer-involving organisations feel equipped to engage volunteers from each group.

You can find each of these resources on our website via the link below.

Queensland Gives announces 2025 Grant Round

Queensland Gives has announced their 2025 Grant Round which will focus on Youth, Women and Families at Risk.  

The General Fund grant program supports organisational capacity building of mid-tier organisations with projects that strengthen community by focussing on, but not limited to, Youth, Women and Families at Risk. 

Grants are available up to a maximum of $30,000 per individual grant. 

Find out if you’re eligible and apply on the Queensland Gives website linked below.

VQ supports over 300 member organisations and advocates for the 2.8 million Queenslanders who volunteer || Join our community 

news@volunteeringqld.org.au | volunteeringqld.org.au

Ph. 07 3002 7600 | Level 12, 127 Creek St, Brisbane, 4000