spring 2010 edition€¦ · mr bernard salt, leading commentator and advisor on consumer, cultural...

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CONTENTS

From the Desk of the CEO 1

Planning for Voluntering Main Event 2

A Message from the Office for Volunteers 3

Training for DFC Volunteers 4

Volunteering & Work Experience Fair 5

Hear from the Essential Guide Authors 6

Out & About with Pirie Volunteers 8

Morgan CFS Cadets 9

Local Volunteers Undertake Recruitment 10

Governor’s Leadership Foundation 12

Supporting People with Brain Injury 13

52 Years of Sharing his Expertise 13

Leukaemia Foundation in Alice Springs 14

Darwin Office Has Moved 15

Conserving Darwin’s Unique Environment 15

Recognising Emergency Volunteers 16

Edmund Rice Camps Gives Thanks 17

A Taste of Africa in Adelaide 18

Mothers Breaking the Poverty Cycle 19

Girl Guides Celebrate 100 Years 20

Grow and Save Australia 22

Justice Net Gives a Helping Hand 22

10,000 Seedlings Planted at Brinkley 23

Out and About 24

VSA&NT partners 25

Volunteering SA&NT Inc.Head Office1st Floor Torrens Building 220 Victoria SquareAdelaide SA 5000

www.volunteeringsa.org.auBOARD:Janet Stone (Chairman), Tim Jackson (Treasurer), Mark Witham, Bruce Hammond, Evelyn O’Loughlin, Julie Pollard, Karen Buenger, Richard Geyer, Joe Capozza.

CEO:

Evelyn O’Loughlin.

EDITOR:

Denese Wyatt - [email protected]

STAFF:Adelaide Office: Louise Dreosti, Sue Keith, Martyn Paxton, Sascha Loffler, Annette Barlow, Kaye Mahomet, Jo Larkin, Liam Hanna, Anna Williamson, Courtney Davidson, Denese Wyatt, Alex Werchon, Shirley Terrell, Jim Kesting, Naomi Offler.

Alice Springs Office: Robyn Toi.

Darwin Office: Dominic Nicholls.

VOLUNTEERS:Amin Abdul Aziz, Lynette Bacon, John Carli, Socheat Chak, Sanja Duka, Pam Evans, Mark Fielder, Richard Geyer, Janis Kerr, John Kimber, Brian Leverett, Alastair McFarlane, David Maxwell, Erica Majba, Tony Mitchell, Eve Noicos, Jane Osborn, Joseph Rankoff, Jo Swiggs, Shirley Terrell, Ellen Tindale, Bob Watson.

CONSULTANTS:Eleonora Zappia & Associates, EPAC Salary Solutions, Bliss Web Engine, Business SA, Community Sector Business Services, Angela DeCono, Ariel Printing, Pride Business Solutions Pty Ltd, Volunteering WA, Urban Umbrella Marketing, Moira Deslandes, Teresa Forest, Jo Swiggs, Alchemy Training, Jennifer Adams Consulting.

GOLDEN GURUS:Erica Majba, Jo Swiggs, Wendy Bruce, Carol Ward, Naomi Arnold-Reschke, Sandra Richards, Beryl Lester, Dianne Potter.

STUDENTS:

Matthew Todd, Peter Gillard,Melissa Yee Ling.

PARTNERS: Aboriginal Reference Group

Bruce Hammond, Herb Mack, Ken Liddle,

Maxine Turner, Lenore Chantrelle, Fiona

Coulthard-Stanley, Elizabeth Hurrell, Jessica

Koolmatrie, Anna Caponi.

© Volunteering SA&NT Inc. ABN 82 279 275 584. Articles may be reproduced providing copyright is acknowledged. Publishing date October 2010.The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily shared by Volunteering SA&NT Inc.

Cover picture courtesy of SA Ambulance

Deadline for Summer 2010/2011 Edition

Bookings 17 Dec 2010Artwork 22 Jan 2011Letter box 5 Feb 2011

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IN THIS ISSUE

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From the Desk of the CEOEvelyn O’Loughlin

CEO REPORT

Top Five Challenges for the Volunteer Sector

The consultation process for reviewing South Australia’s Strategic Plan, the state government’s blueprint of targets and progress measurement for South Australia, has been launched and the Community Engagement Board is now conducting a state-wide community consultation program as part of this process. Peak organisations were invited to submit five key challenges for their sector and our submission is summarised below.

The Shifting Frontier between the First, Second and 1. Third SectorsThe expanding role of the government in directing the policy agenda of the third sector is a concern because the independence of third sector is the key to the healthy and efficient functioning of the western democratic tradition. As volunteer activity in the second sector seeks greater recognition, we need to understand on a deeper level, how the sectors can work in partnership but retain their autonomy.

2. Inclusion

As the peak body for volunteer involving organisations and volunteers, VSA&NT is aware of the challenges posed by shifting demographics, attitudes, economic circumstances and other factors, including maintaining and expanding volunteer numbers in the sector. VSA&NT’s response to these challenges includes a concern to expand the ambit of recruitment to include groups who may once have been considered only the subjects of volunteer activity. While there are a range of social objectives behind inclusion initiatives to recruit indigenous people, those with cognitive disabilities and ex-offenders into the volunteer workforce, they also increase the pool of volunteers.

3. Costs of Volunteering

As well as the opportunity cost to volunteering, the actual financial cost to volunteers needs to be considered.

VSA&NT supports the government’s efforts to ensure that this cost is eradicated. Where these costs are the result of compliance with any government statute, policy or program it is clearly the responsibility of the government to meet this cost either by way of reimbursement to the volunteer or by subsidy to the volunteer involving agency. While volunteers may be content to meet such costs from their own resources as part of their commitment, they should never be required to do so.

Little consideration is given to the opportunity cost of volunteering; consideration should be given to offsetting this through tax deductions for time expended.

4. Infrastructure FundingThe Third, like any other sector, requires infrastructure other than just buildings. Technology, systems, people and skills, training, resources, placement and referral services are needed. With its resources stretched in covering its own core activities, the Third sector cannot resource its own support infrastructure. While there might be potential for alliances with the Second sector to support the infrastructure, the reality is that this support is only available from governments. It is critical that this support is available as a result of the establishment of agreed policy priorities expressed in program initiatives. Infrastructure maintenance and development also needs to incorporate the specific needs of regional areas.

5. Adapting to Social TrendsAs a peak body, VSA&NT has a responsibility to support the sector as it adapts to social trends that affect volunteering. Among the critical factors is understanding the needs of the “baby boomers” and young people, which might mean adapting organisational work patterns to include, for example, opportunities for event volunteering. We also need to consider that this is against a backdrop of an ageing existing volunteer population. While this is, in part, about recruitment it is also about assisting the responsive capacity of the sector in general.

The consultation is a great opportunity to reinforce the things that are important to you, your volunteers and your organisation.

I encourage you and your volunteers to share your ideas and visions for South Australia, so we can make it the best it can be.

– see www.saplan.org.au.

Planning for Volunteering Main Event in Full SwingVOLUNTEERING AUSTRALIA

Initiate. Discover. Examine.

Challenges such as the impacts of an ageing population and the global financial crisis, opportunities for exploring greater partnerships with the corporate and government sectors, and cementing the pivotal role that volunteering has within the broader social inclusion context, continue to be areas of discussion within the sector.

The 13th National Conference on Volunteering aims to provide a national forum to:

Initiate discussion, debate and analyse issues affecting volunteering

Discover new technologies that can affect or support volunteering

Examine initiatives that will grow volunteering and promote best practice in volunteering

Planning for the 13th National Conference on Volunteering continues and the full program has been released.

The Conference Program features-

20 Workshops

54 Presentations

Networking opportunities at the lunch breaks each day – by State, Sector and Occupation / Role

Special research event aimed specifically at Researchers and Research Students

Welcome Receptions

Conference Dinner

Four international guest presenters

The range of speakers include:

Mr Bernard Salt, leading commentator and advisor on consumer, cultural and demographic trends.

Ms Elaine Bradley, CEO of Volunteering Ireland.

Professor Peter Shergold AC, Macquarie Group Foundation Professor at the Centre for Social Impact.

Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector.

Mr Patrick McClure AO, Ethics Fellow, Not-For-Profit Sector.

Kenn Allen founder and president of the Civil Society Consulting Group LLC.

Sarah Hayes Director of the Global Corporate Volunteer Council, International Association for Volunteer Effort (USA).

Mr Ron Edwards, Australian Social Inclusion Board Member, Board member of the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation.

Robert Fitzgerald AM, Commissioner, Productivity Commission will deliver the Margaret Bell, Spirit of Volunteering Oration.

Book now and be part of the 13th National Conference on Volunteering.

27 - 29 October 2010

The Sebel and Citigate Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria

Please note that your tax invoice from the online registration record will be emailed as an attachment with your confirmation as soon as you complete your registration.

Go to the Volunteering Australia website at www.volunteeringaustralia.org

OFFICE FOR VOLUNTEERS

I'd like to thank and congratulate all the community groups and students who took part in our Community Voices launch event at Flinders University on 13 July 2010. The event was a real success with the Minister for Volunteers, Hon Grace Portolesi MP, officially launching a series of new promotional videos created by Screen and Media students at Flinders University to help put local community groups and volunteering under the spotlight.

The State Government's Community Voices program has enabled several not-for-profit community groups to develop television commercials or short films to promote volunteering in the community. Run in partnership with Flinders University, this innovative program sees students pairing up with local community groups that are keen to promote their work and recruit volunteers. The promotional videos produced can then

be used by the groups to raise public awareness of volunteering, recruit volunteers and to celebrate the significant contribution that volunteers make to the wider South Australian community every year.

Some of the recent successful recipients of the program have included Fauna Rescue of SA Inc, Iron Knob Progress Association, Community Food SA Inc, Holiday Explorers, and the Sammy D Foundation Inc, to list a few. You can visit www.ofv.sa.gov.au/communityvoices.htm to find out more about this program and to watch the videos produced.

I'm also pleased to report that our Volunteer Support Fund recently opened for applications on Monday 9 August and will

close on Monday 11 October 2010. Grants of up to $3,000 are on offer through the fund to help community groups boost training and resources for their volunteers.

Projects that may be funded include those that will directly expand volunteer participation and recruitment, or help volunteers build on their knowledge, confidence and skills. In the past, successful applicants to the Volunteer Support Fund have received financial assistance with providing resources for volunteers (e.g. computer software, training DVDs and videos), equipment for volunteers (e.g. safety equipment, white goods) and training opportunities for volunteers.

You can apply now or find out more by visiting www.ofv.sa.gov.au or contacting the Office for Volunteers by phoning 8463 4490 or emailing [email protected]. For more news from the Office for Volunteers, you can also subscribe to our free e-newsletter by visiting www.ofv.sa.gov.au/newsletter.htm.

Finally, with spring arriving marks the commencement of planning for the annual South Australian Volunteer Congress held in recognition of International Volunteers Day. Each year we aim to provide a meaningful program offering insights into national trends, new ideas to help your organisation and of course that very valuable networking. Keep an eye out on our website for this years theme!

Andrew Hamilton, General Manager OFV

Below: Flinders University students work with Greening Australia volunteers to make a television commercial as part of the 2009 Community Voices program.

DEPT for FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES

Training for DFC VolunteersSusan Maiorana & Vivianne Frahn DFC Volunteers Unit

During May, June and July this year the DFC Volunteers Unit coordinated training for approximately 140 volunteers who are involved in various DFC volunteer programs. It is very important that volunteers’ skills are kept updated, particularly as volunteers work directly with clients and in Families SA for example, those clients are often children.

Volunteers attended First Aid Training at Disability SA’s Strathmont site, while volunteers from a number of Families SA District Offices travelled to Families SA Marion Office for the training session. Another popular First Aid session was held at the Royal Life Saving Society Australia at Hilton. First Aid Training was also offered to country volunteers. Training sessions were held in Mount Gambier, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor and Whyalla. St John’s also held training in the outer suburbs of Gawler, Modbury & Elizabeth.

Edmund Rice Camps provided Child Safe Environment Training at Thebarton and a combined Families SA session was held at Aberfoyle Park District Office. Child Safe Environment Training ensures that volunteers are familiar with the current legal requirements of mandatory reporting.Many Families SA volunteers are involved in transporting children to and from appointments and to school. It is vital that volunteers can correctly fit child car safety restraints. RAA was asked to provide the training which was held at Families SA Gawler and Elizabeth.

The Volunteers who participated in the training came from Families SA and Disability SA. Feedback across the state was extremely positive, particularly from country volunteers who may not always be able to access training.

Pictured below: Volunteers from Families SA Noarlunga, Aberfoyle Park & Marion

Department for Families and Communities

STUDENTS

Razak Tehrani

In August Volunteering SA&NT, in association with Unilife and UniSA Career Services, put on The Volunteering and Work Experience Fair at UniSA’s City West campus. It was an exciting opportunity to promote volunteering to students, along with increasing public awareness about the vital work that various organisations do for our community through volunteering.

Great thanks should go to all the organisations that came out to promote the benefits of volunteering: The ACH Group, Girls Guides, The Global Experience, Anglicare and The Health Promotion Association, were just a few of the organisations that had stalls on the day. It was a really positive experience for all that were present.

Some stalls had ‘goodies’ for potential volunteers; pocket pals, chocolate, lollies and even authentic Girls Guide cookies were on offer. It also gave people from the different organisations the chance to talk about their own experiences, working and volunteering within not-for-profit organisations and the

benefits it has had on their lives.

It was also an ideal way to network with potential employers, volunteer group leaders and to make new friends with other volunteers by sharing our stories. It was inspirational to hear of all the good that people do for our community.

I was fortunate enough to volunteer at the Unilife stall that day. We interacted with students and told them what organisations could offer them by the means of volunteering and work experience. It gave us the opportunity to encourage students to go to all the different stalls to find the organisations that they were best suited to and what they would like to get out of a volunteering experience: whether it is purely about job prospects once they completed their course, or an environment to make new friends, or to facilitate their own personal growth and development.

The Fair promoted the benefits of volunteering and work experience, in that it would make it easier for students to find work within their professional major once their university degree had been completed. Volunteering also gives students the experience of working in a professional environment whilst still at university. It is also a fantastic way to make new friends, obtain new reference, to have a positive impact on the community as well as increasing self confidence for volunteers.

The Volunteering and Work Experience Fair was a huge success that would not have been possible if it was not for all the energetic volunteers and ambassadors, who used their own enthusiasm for volunteering to encourage students to sign up.

Volunteering and work experience fairs are a great way to recruit new volunteers and to maintain existing volunteers by boosting their moral in such an enthusiastic and positive environment.

BOOK LAUNCH

and we wrote late

volunteer, as we all know, volunteers

for gleaning the

Volunteer Program M a n a g e m e n t

- Hon Grace Portolesi MPMinister for Volunteers

Guests at the official launch at Volunteering SA&NT of the Volunteer Management: Essential Guide 3rd Edition by the Minister for Volunteers, Hon Grace Portolesi, were treated to an insight on how the publication has progressed since it was first printed in 1988 to be known as the ‘Bible’ for Volunteer Managers. The following are extracts from the authors speeches:

BOOK LAUNCH

Would you like to host a law student for a work experience placement?Would you like a law student to give a presentation about the law to your members?Would you like a law student to complete an access to justice project which is of benefit to your organisation and its members?

Law students from the School of Law at UniSA will be placed in a variety of organisations in order to develop professional skills and values. They will focus upon developing their understanding of work experience or comunity service as an ‘active’ context for critical reflection on their personal development and their role as a professional in society.

In addition to analysing and reflecting on their personal experience students will consider the role of legal professionals in the legal system and in society generally.

If you would like to host a law student, or have a law student assist your organisation, please contact:

Ms Rachel SpencerDirector of Professional ProgramsSchool of Law / Division of BusinessUniversity of South Australia, City West CampusGPO Box 2471, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001Telephone: 08 8302 7946Email: [email protected]

and train Volunteer Managers right around the country and also internationally, and let me assure you all that when we refer to this book as the 'Bible' of volunteer management, that applies all around the world. Just last week when I was working with a group of volunteer managers in Christchurch New Zealand, I received positive comments from VMs who had purchased the previous version. You may also be interested to know that the electronic version of the book has sold thousands of copies over the years through the Energize website in Philadelphia, that the Volunteer Center of Hawaii used the book as its key text for VM students a few years ago, and that for the past several years, the Guide has also been one of the few key texts used by those undertaking the Certification of Volunteer Administration in the United States.

The other thought I would want to share is the fact that through this Guide we are able to influence leaders of volunteers to go on and do greater things. For me, those people who have helped to move me to the position I am in today include Joy and Louise. I remember being a second year University student, studying Recreation at Salisbury Campus in the 1980s and deciding in fact that I wanted to be was a Volunteer Manager. So the very first chance I got, I started writing assignments on the topic. I remember the very first one of those assignments I gave to a lecturer by the name of Louise Rogers! Who would have thought all these years later we would still be working together.

And I remember the first time I met Joy was something akin to a religious experience to a young, bright eyed volunteer manager! We should not underestimate the influence that Joy has had on this sector and the high regard in which she is held, not just in this country but internationally.

Again it is a terrific honor for me to be involved in this project and to be creating a tangible product to support those who support the work of volunteers.

I congratulate Volunteering SA&NT on this wonderful initiative and for supporting this publication.

$38.50including GST - plus postage .

Phone Voluntering SA&NT on 08 8221 7177 To order your Essential Guide today.

REGIONAL

Do you know where Fisherman’s Bay and Wirrabara are? Have you heard of Beetaloo Valley or Weeroona Island? If you don’t know where they are or have never heard of them don’t worry about looking up your road atlas, you just need to speak to one of the adventurous Out and About Volunteers in Port Pirie.

So what does happen when adventurous volunteers head off with a thermos, cookies and some enthusiastic and excited ‘passengers’? The outcome can be a journey down memory lane or a visit to a place not been before, some reminiscing, lots of laughter and a delicious morning or afternoon tea for aged care residents and day care clients.

Out and About with volunteers Gus, Kym and Jo operates on Monday afternoons. Clients of our Aged Care Facility and Rosemary Cottage set off with a thermos and cookies regularly going to Port Germein, Laura, Wirrabara, Gladstone or Fisherman’s Bay. Melrose has also been a great destination

for a delicious afternoon tea of coffee and cake.

Volunteers Ken and Les’ Outdoor Adventure Program operates on Friday mornings within the Joyce Gray Day Programs. They have a roster of venues and names are ‘pulled out of a hat’ to determine who attends. Ken and Les take along morning tea which they enjoy at a scenic or picturesque spot along the way. The list of places they frequent includes Crystal Brook, Laura, Port Germein, Weroona Island, Port Broughton, Gladstone and a ‘Mystery Trip’.

Due to our fabulous group of volunteer drivers, there is always a ‘backfill’ willing to attend these drives in the regular driver’s absence. The programs have been running successfully now for over a year! Staff do very little of the organising of these programs – they leave this up to the volunteers involved.

The National Respite for Carers Out and About Program

provides respite and ‘time out’ to carers of persons with dementia with challenging behaviours. Social activities and outings are provided by staff and volunteers trained to care and support clients. The Out and About Program collects the clients weekly on a Thursday and returns them to their home after spending the day out.

Each outing includes either a picnic, BBQ or lunch at a hotel, restaurant or eatery. They have been known to have a delicious meal at a local hotel followed by a visit the new RSL Museum. Lunch from the bakery or fish shop in local towns is enjoyed even more when eaten in a park or on the foreshore. The staff and volunteers provide some great times of reminiscing with the clients as they visit many of the local areas and landmarks including Jamestown, Napperby, Gladstone and Beetaloo

Valley. Volunteers Pru and Janece have supported clients and staff through this program for many years. The clients have come to know and love them and appreciate their friendship and encouragement. The staff have valued their reliable, consistent and practical support.

From feedback provided and the clients and residents eagerness to go on the outings, it is evident to staff, volunteers and carers, in each of these three programs the joy and pleasure the clients get from their ‘travelling all over the countryside’ adventures

id it d ‘ti t’ t f ith

“It isn’t the great big pleasures that

count the most; it’s making a great deal out of the little ones.” Jean Webster.

Government of South Australia

SA Health

Below: Volunteers Gus and Cyril

Below: Volunteers preparing for the Smelters Picnic

REGIONAL

Morgan is a small country town approximately one and half hours from Adelaide on the River Murray. The town’s volunteer CFS Brigade, founded in 1951, also runs a Cadet Division. Cadet Co-ordinator Gordon Johnston and Cadet Supervisor Nathan Marks (who was previously a cadet) currently run cadet training once a fortnight.

So Cadets could continue, Gordon took on the job of Cadet Leader and Nathan as Supervisor at the beginning of 2010, as the previous leaders had moved away for work. To join cadets, you must be 11 years of age and you can be a member until age 18. At the moment there are 8 active cadets with a couple more anxiously awaiting their birthdays. He had 4 cadets to begin with, 5 more since joining and 1 leaving the area.

Three months after taking the reins, a CFS Camp for Region 3 (Riverland/Murraylands area) and Region 5 (South East area) was organised. To be able to take the mix of cadets (boys and girls) that he had, I was approached to become a CFS member to go as a female supervisor.

Six cadets embarked on a weekend camp at Pendleton Farm near Keith and had a great time competing in group activities with fellow cadets they had never met before. It was a great experience for all.

Each fortnight the cadets “suit up” and head off in the fire appliances to learn, or practice various drills. Some of these learnt so far include Basic Hose Drills, Radio and Map usage, Ropes and Ladders and various team drills.

In May a “Five Man Stepup” drill was undertaken using live fire. During the inclement June weather, the cadets watched some CFS training videos and also participated in ladder and rope training. In mid July we conducted a live running fire drill where the cadets put into practice their use of hose techniques from the back of the Morgan 34 appliance (truck). August training sessions have included a hose and hydrant drill and a four man hose drill. Cadets learnt to sink a hydrant from the water main outside the Primary School and then they

M i ll t t i t l d h lf put their hose drill skills into practice. The four man hose drill was a learning/refresher on team skills and basic hose work.

At the end of this training session, which was held in the main street of Morgan, they had team time trials. Training in the main street was to put the cadets in the public eye and showcase some of their skills and to remind the public that the CFS is active outside of emergency incidents.

The enthusiasm shown by the cadets at training and their willingness to participate and learn is a credit to themselves and our community. The fact that these young cadets want to be there and are committed to their training – that is what motivates us as leaders to continue!

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN

Volunteers make up more than half of the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) workforce and provide country towns in South Australia with lifesaving treatment. It is vital that recruitment drives are regularly updated to gain the community’s attention.

On 10 July this year the SA Ambulance Service’s ‘Skills for Life’ volunteer recruitment campaign was launched by country patient services executive director, Neale Sutton at the State Leadership Conference held at the Wayville Showgrounds.

Neale said, “SAAS relies on its volunteers and I want to make the process of becoming a volunteer, being a volunteer and staying a volunteer all the more rewarding”. The new campaign is part of this approach.

The campaign focuses on the life-changing skills and experiences people have gained through volunteering with SAAS. It is an exciting new development in the promotion

of volunteers and a mature step up from the previous ‘Be a vital part of your community’ recruitment campaign, which emphasised the benefits of helping others. The ‘Be a vital part of your community’ campaign ran for four years and was very successful with almost 1000 volunteers recruited during its lifetime.

The ‘Skills for Life’ campaign was developed over a year and a half through extensive research, planning and consultation with all relevant parties from SAAS and the government. The campaign was then created by Adelaide advertising agency, JAM and managed by the SAAS Corporate Communications Team, in close consultation with the Volunteer Support Unit.

The new campaign utilises market research that was undertaken to determine which messages would appeal to country communities. As a result the leading image of the campaign is an ambulance uniform on a country clothesline, which is complemented by simple but strong items in green with a paler ‘V’ in the background.

The ‘Skills for Life’ campaign aims to connect with many segments of country communities in order to attract more on-road ambulance volunteers in country SA, raise awareness about the opportunity to volunteer and make it easier for existing volunteers and managers to recruit more volunteers. The campaign also aims to change perceptions and bust myths about ambulance volunteering, including letting communities know that their ambulance station is staffed by volunteers, which many people don’t realise.

To promote the idea that being a SAAS volunteer changes lives and volunteers gain new skills for life, the four year campaign will include advertising on TV and radio, in newspapers, and a range of supporting materials. Real SAAS volunteers feature throughout the promotional material, to present a real sense of how volunteers fit ambulance volunteering into their life and the benefits they get from it.

Cowell’s volunteer team leader, Sam Bass said the new adverts succinctly conveyed that the skills gained as an ambulance officer stayed for life. He particularly liked the use of real volunteers in the materials and the overall campaign theme. “I like the whole idea: the ‘Skills for Life’ motto,” he said.

New products have been developed as part of the campaign, including a booklet for businesses that allow SAAS volunteers to respond to ambulance cases at work, and a pathways program to support volunteers in developing their careers.

The volunteer training courses have also been restructured to make them better for new recruits and to get volunteers out on ambulances more quickly. Volunteer clinical education manager Keith Rooney said the new format would involve two ‘super weekend’ training sessions and 24 sessions at local ambulance stations.

The ‘Skills for Life’ campaign was developed in response to a

series of volunteer recruitment forums run by SAAS in 2009. One of the key ideas that came out of brainstorming sessions was that volunteers should be trained to recruit new volunteers. This idea has been a focus of the new recruitment campaign, which has a strong emphasis on volunteers spreading the good word about volunteering among their friends, family and work colleagues.

A whole range of initiatives were identified as being useful in the recruitment of volunteers, telling friends, family and colleagues about the benefits of volunteering and inviting them to come along and see for themselves, was viewed as the most effective method of recruitment. Volunteer application forms indicated that around 40% of applicants had heard about volunteering with SAAS from somebody else.

During the ‘Skills for Life’ campaign existing volunteer teams will receive training, encouragement and materials to help them tell others about the benefits of volunteering for their local ambulance service.

As part of a major contract between SAAS and Volunteering SA&NT (VSA&NT), interactive workshops will be conducted at each station by VSA&NT trainer Liam Hanna.

SAAS and VSA&NT have formed a unique partnership to enhance the recruitment of volunteers into an

iconic community service.

The training provided by VSA&NT aims to provide SAAS volunteers with the tools and confidence to create a word of mouth campaign by sharing their experiences with their friends, family and colleagues and inviting them to volunteer.

RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN

“Word of mouth is a powerful way to recruit new volunteers. It is one of the vital ingredients that SAAS believes will make this new campaign successful,” said Neale Sutton. “Our volunteers are our best ambassadors and the experts about their own town. People trust and respect volunteer ambulance officers, so their message adds credibility to the campaign.”

Enlisting the services of a speaker from Volunteering SA&NT and creating materials specifically to help volunteers talk to others about the benefits of volunteering is something new for SAAS. To help volunteers take their message to their community, SAAS will provide badges, car bumper stickers, cue cards and novelty word-of-mouth materials.

Kingston volunteer team leader, Pauline Parsons said she liked how the campaign focused on what people gained from volunteering and what they brought to it. “I thought it was very suited to volunteers,” she said. “The little badges are fantastic; I wanted to pin it on right away.”

Under the ‘Skills for Life’ campaign, volunteer teams will conduct a major recruitment campaign once every two years, instead of annually. During the ‘off year’ they may run a local campaign using word-of-mouth promotional material to help spread the good word within their community. This new recruitment schedule will take pressure off teams because they won’t need to run campaigns every year, unless they want to.

SAAS plans to measure the effectiveness of their new campaign through the number of: hits to the volunteer

recruitment section of their website; calls to their volunteer hotline; completed volunteer application forms; volunteer contact sheets (each volunteer team will record the number of people they spoke to about volunteering). A market research company will also complete an evaluation of the campaign, including phone interviews to check the level of awareness of the campaign by people living in country areas, and their response to the main campaign messages.

SAAS believes that by training, encouraging and equipping their volunteers to spread the word about volunteering with the people they meet in their everyday lives, volunteer numbers will be boosted. If this strategy is successful, SAAS plans to share the materials and style of campaign with other ambulance services.

“At a time when recruiting new volunteers becomes more and more challenging for everyone, let’s help each other with this important task. Sharing our successes and anything we learn

about doing even better next time could be of enormous benefit to other ambulance services that rely on volunteers,” said Neale Sutton.

SAAS relies on its 1400 volunteers to provide ambulance services in smaller country towns in South Australia. The new recruitment campaign will be rolled out at over 70 ambulance stations around the state to boost team numbers and maintain 24-hour local ambulance services. In August the Upper Eyre Peninsula was the first country region to roll out the ‘Skills for Life’ recruitment campaign.

LEADERSHIP

The Leaders Institute of South Australia is the State’s premier leadership development organisation. We do this primarily through the Governor’s Leadership Foundation (GLF) program. The GLF program serves as a catalyst in bringing together many of this State’s forward thinkers from a wide and diverse range of professions and backgrounds, whose attitudes and efforts reflect the true goals of the GLF – to broaden, enhance and accelerate leadership capability in South Australia for the betterment of the state.

The Leader’s Institute holds a vision to be renowned and respected nationally for our work in innovative leadership development that creates positive and sustainable change for individuals, organisations and society. To achieve this we select and produce graduates that are not only forceful leaders for change, but leaders with a genuine desire to contribute to the South Australian community. They form part of a thriving and passionate alumni network.

In fact our graduates are more likely to volunteer their services to a social cause, than anyone else in the state.

Finding the best ways in which to leverage this willingness is a golden opportunity. With this in mind Volunteering SA&NT and the Leaders Institute of South Australia have formed an alliance. The opportunity to assist those not-for-profit organisations making a positive contribution to the community with skilled, passionate and experienced South Australians was too big of an opportunity to miss.

So consider your organisation for a moment. We’d like to connect volunteers with specialist skills and experience with not-for-profit organisations looking to recruit volunteers for short-term or long-term positions.

This is a ‘win-win’ because non-profit organisations benefit from the work of these skilled volunteers and the volunteers

benefit because they get a better balance in their lives from contributing to their community.

The types of positions you might be looking to fill are detailed below:Professional volunteer jobs

Professional volunteer jobs requiring a university degree and/or recognised professional qualification and including medical practitioners, lawyers, accountants, auditors,

teachers, nurses, researchers etc.Senior management volunteer jobsSenior management jobs requiring senior management experience in the private and/or public sectors. They include (but not limited to) board members, directors, partners, senior managers, management consultants, strategic planners etc.

Urgent or critical volunteer jobsUrgent or critical jobs are those which are essential to the successful functioning of an organisation or event, especially at the strategic planning level.

The Leaders Institute can tap into its network of GLF alumni to find those people who might be able to help your

organisation. So why don’t you take a moment to reflect on your organisation’s current challenges and consider if some external volunteer help might help you through some of these?

To register your interest in volunteering help from a GLF graduate with specialist skills and experience, please contact Liam Hanna at Volunteering SA&NT on 08 8221 7177 or email [email protected]

Sarah Rhead, Director Program Development, Leaders Institute of SA

h h t

SOCIAL INCLUSION

Mariann McNamara Executive Officer, BINSA

The Brain Injury Network of SA Inc (BINSA) was established in 1992 and has a small complement of professional staff. BINSA is a member organisation, recognised as the peak SA agency for those impacted by an acquired brain injury (ABI), including from: stroke, falls, road trauma, near drowning or brain tumour. The main cohort of participants is adults 18-65 years of age. BINSA is funded from a number of sources including FAHCSIA, ODACS and MAC and a number of private sponsors.

BINSA provides support, information, counselling, advocacy, specialised rehabilitation, community learning and lifeskills programs and recently hosted the annual Brain Injury Awareness Week (BIAW) 16-22 August, as well as various forums and seminars on specialised topics relevant to anyone impacted by an ABI. BINSA is involved in influencing all levels of government and allied agencies’ policies and procedures to improve: services, support and care options for those impacted by an ABI.

To contact BINSA, please call: 08 8271 7600,

country callers 1300 733 049

or email [email protected] or go to www.binsa.org

Helen English, Coordinator of Volunteers, Italo-Australian Welfare Organisation.

Aged & Community Services S.A & NT (ACS SA & NT ) Inaugural

Volunteer of the year Mimi Camporeale represented South

Australia at the National Awards Dinner in Hobart. He was

also nominated for the award by Associazione Nazionale

Famiglie degli Emigrati Inc. (A.N.F.E) and also nominated for

the 2010 Co.As.It (Italian Assistance Association Inc) Senior

Volunteer Award of which he was the worthy recipient on

15th May.

Over the past 52 years Mimi’s volunteering has taken many

forms, starting in the Army Reserve then transferring to

the RAAF Reserves (for which he was awarded the Long

Service Medal as recognition of his 20 years of service to

the Australian Armed Forces), assisting in local Italian clubs

e.g. Association Pugle: – commencing circa 1971, President

2004 – 2010 (currently serving) Inter-Italian Social and

Sports Association: 1972 – 2009, (37 years in which time he

served as President and committee member) Italian Marine

Assoc: – and numerous other clubs and organisations.

Using his expertise as a Justice of the Peace, Pension Help

(Italian pension) and Tax Help agent, he has helped more

community members than we would like to count.

A.N.F.E was able to avail itself of his expertise when he

became an elected Board Member in 2004 subsequently

becoming, Secretary of the Association; he is currently an

active Board member who has volunteered to be the official

Association representative on occasion.

Mimi’s participation within the Italian community ensures

that it continues to have strong active clubs and associations

in which the people can participate, enjoy & embrace their

heritage and culture. He is accessible to all; this includes

scheduling home visits for people who are

unable to attend his office. He modestly gives

of himself and his expertise, without any

thought of recognition or recompense.

When asked why he volunteers, Mimi says: “Volunteering keeps me active in both body and mind and allows for contact with many people”.

VOLUNTEERING IN THE TERRITORY

Page 14

It’s the biggest fundraiser for the year for the foundation, and all proceeds remain in the community and with over 280 competitor/supporters of this great cause, it couldn’t be anything more than a great success.

Diagnosis of leukaemia is devastating, both for the person receiving the diagnosis and for those around them. While it is difficult to avoid focusing on the possibility of death, it is important to remember that these days, with treatment, many people can be cured of their cancer. For others, treatment can control their disease and they can remain well for a long time.

Practical and emotional support is essential for everyone living with the demands of a serious illness. There are a range of services and organisations (including the Leukaemia Foundation) available to provide practical, emotional and financial assistance for patients and

families. Health Professionals at your treating hospital will be able to help you and your family access these services.

As part of the emotional and practical support, the yearly fundraiser celebration of the Alice Springs Ladies Golf Day turned on the weather, money and fun right across the golf course with golf carts fully charged, glasses fully discharged and golf clubs dragged around by less than experienced players, a massive $27,000 was raised even before the first tee off was taken.

On the back nine we had ‘firies’ on the 12th and 15th, where for a gold coin donation more fun could be had. On almost every hole there was an experienced golfer who was more than willing to tee off for the teams, particularly those who hadn’t played golf before, and give them a real good start to their game, again for a small donation.

It has been said before, but this is a devastating disease. It impacts on self, friends and family and the wider community, and in this way, women and the men in Alice Springs showed their support and their concern to make this day a magic success.

Alice Springs Highlights:

The National Road Transport Hall of Fame 2010 Reunion over 7 days of celebrations, saw over 300 volunteers, over 5000 registered participants and more vintage and veteran trucks and buses than seen anywhere else in the territory at any time on the streets of Alice.

The Masters Games are coming to town from October 9 to 16, with over 4200 registered sports people participating and over 600 volunteers making sure the friendly games remain the ‘Friendly Games’.

ariel printing ptyltd

brochures & booklets

business stationery

newsletters & books

carbonless forms

stickers & envelopes

digital printing

P 8346 6177F 8346 6619

email [email protected]

159 South Rd Ridleyton SA 5008

dESIGn pRiNT fiNIsH

VOLUNTEERING IN THE TERRITORY

Dominic Nicholls - Regional Development Officer, VSA&NT Darwin

Volunteering SA&NT Darwin has a new office at 41 Cavenagh Street, shared with Conservation Volunteers Australia.

We are very excited about this new street front location and the extra walk in traffic we will be able to channel into the diverse roles the Darwin community require. There is huge potential in Darwin to support the diverse number of organisations working with volunteers, with a population nearing quarter of a million people and just over 35% currently involved in volunteering there is plenty of scope for growth.

Volunteering SA&NT hopes to add capacity in the sector; to support continually improving volunteer management practice, sound policy advice, promotion of volunteering and most importantly a healthy and positive volunteering sector that values volunteers and the organisations that work with them. As part of this vision we will be running training in late September in the Darwin area, contact the office for details of that training.

The Darwin office phone and fax numbers have not changed, nor has our friendly service so feel free to come and visit!

Shop 8 / 41 Cavanagh St, Darwin 0801. Phone: 08 8981 0027 Email: [email protected]

Since 1982, Conservation Volunteers has been helping individuals, businesses and governments to conserve our unique environment.

In that time we have welcomed hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around Australia and across the world.

We have grown from humble beginnings in regional Victoria to become a national organisation with a permanent presence in 30 locations around Australia and New Zealand, and a project presence in many countries around the world.

Our network of people and organisations value our unique environment and recognise the important role that we all must

Hannah Brodie-Hall, Darwin Regional Manager

play in responding to the challenges of species and habitat loss, environmental degradation, environmental skills shortages and the impact of a changing climate.

At Conservation Volunteers we recognise that if we are to succeed in achieving real environmental improvements we must continue to evolve as an organisation - we will continue to provide opportunities for all Australians – encouraging volunteering, improving life skills and opportunities, connecting communities, enabling people to become more active in and providing ways for people to connect with the environment.

A feature of our Darwin office is the diversity and uniqueness of projects from Cobourg and Arnhem Land marine debris surveys to weeding and tree planting at East Point and Rapid to turtle monitoring at Field Island and Cobourg to heritage restoration at Government House and Myilly Point.

We welcome everyone who shares a love of the outdoors and a commitment to our environment. Freecall 1800 032 501 or visit our website www.conservationvolunteers.com.au if you would like more information.

RECOGNITION

On 26 August 2010, SAFECOM held a Volunteer & Employer Recognition & Support Program (VERSP) event in both Streaky Bay and Ceduna.

The VERSP events are an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment and passion of CFS and SES volunteers, their families and the employers who support them.

The Streaky Bay VERSP morning tea was held at the Streaky Bay Visitor and Information Centre and provided an excellent opportunity to meet and recognise volunteers and employers. The morning tea was attended by the SAFECOM Board, the Deputy Mayor of the District Council of Streaky Bay, Mr Greg Schreiber, and local CFS and SES volunteers and employers.

Anthony Rosenzweig, a CFS volunteer with the Streaky Bay CFS Brigade, nominated his employer Ian Beck, from Beck Brothers Mitre 10, because “it’s important that employers get recognition for letting employees go out to protect their communities”. When asked why he releases employees to attend an incident Ian said “the volunteers do a fantastic job and it’s important for the town to be protected”.

In the evening, the Ceduna VERSP dinner was held at the joint CFS/SES/SAAS facility on Poynton Street, and was

attended by over 35 CFS and SES volunteers and employers.

Other people who attended included the SAFECOM Board,

Mayor Mr Allan Suter (District Council of Ceduna), Mr Peter

Treloar MP (Member for Flinders) and representatives from SA

Ambulance Service and SA Police.

At the Ceduna VERSP everyone enjoyed getting to know one

another over a delicious meal catered by the Sea Dragons, a

group of women from the local community.

The Streaky Bay and Ceduna VERSP events were a great

way to say thanks, to the volunteers who make such a big

commitment to ensuring community safety and to employers

and self employed volunteers who support the work of the

emergency services sector.

Anthony Rosenzweig along side his employer, Ian Beck, were

presented with Certificates of Appreciation from A/Chief

Officer CFS, Andrew Lawson and CEO SAFECOM David Place.

Below: Anthony Rosenzweig along side his employer, Ian Beck,

being presented with a Certificates of Appreciation from A/Chief

Officer CFS, Andrew Lawson and CEO SAFECOM David Place.

RECOGNITION

Page 17

Tuesday July 20th marked a special night for Edmund Rice Camps (SA) Inc. A “Thank You Gathering” was held at their offices, providing the opportunity for ERC staff, volunteers and families to show appreciation for the support provided to the organisation by members of the community, by businesses, agencies and individual members of the community.

Edmund Rice Camps (ERC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer based, charitable organisation providing camps and support services to children, young people and families in need. The children are experiencing disadvantage for many different reasons, but they all need help. Camps offer a safe environment that is inclusive and encourages participation, friendship and trust. Essentially, the camps are based on building self-confidence of participants and inspiring them to realise their full potential.

ERC has been providing services for children, young people and families who are disadvantaged since 1990, creating real and lasting change for children and families in need in South Australia.

In April 2010, ERC was the victim of a burglary. The losses were huge; it was not only replaceable items, such as laptops, but also resources, including countless hours of work undertaken. This incident represented a very hard time for ERC as an organisation and it was through the generosity, assistance and support of members within the community that ERC was truly able to “find its feet” again. The Thank You Gathering honoured the contribution of these individuals and organisations, from both the community and corporate sectors, who so generously provided this support.

Melanie Tate, Executive Officer of ERC in South Australia, said of the robbery at the Thank You Gathering: “What you may not know is that at the time we were already dealing with financial hardship, including having to reduce our staff, in order to keep proving our services. The morning we discovered the robbery I will never forget how the staff were feeling and, ironically, there was a camp happening at the very same time. Many of you saw the news story, or heard about our plight in the following few days, and lucky for us, you felt compelled to respond”.

The ERC Channel 9 Telethon TV advertisement was shown to guests, as was a short video depicting some of the amazing work that ERC does. Trophies and certificates were then presented to Tom Koutsantonis (MP) and representatives from Westpac, Molitor James, SA All Sparks Electrical, Breville, and Channel 9 Telethon. Certificates were awarded to a range of organisations including Christian Brothers Oceania, Shine SA, Volunteering SA&NT, and a number of educational institutions including Christian Brothers College, Rostrevor College, Seymour College, St Pauls College and Cambridge College. Other organisations that contributed significant assistance but were unable to attend were also mentioned, such as Adelaide Airport.

Melanie said: “We were truly overwhelmed with the support that you all gave us. This year we aim to provide services to over 400 volunteers and 300 children and families but we could do more.

As a non-profit organisation without the support of Government funding, we rely heavily on donations and sponsorship from the community and corporate sectors”. ERC is highly appreciative of the ongoing support provided by Volunteering SA&NT.

More information about Edmund Rice Camps (SA) Inc can be found at http://www.eddiericecamps.org.au.

Melanie Tate (ERC SA Executive Officer) Tiffany Williams (ERC SA volunteer)

Above: Courtney Davidson (far left) and Kaye Mahomet (Centre) from VSA&NT receiving a certificate of thanks from Edmund Rice Camps staff

COMMUNITY

Looking for something different to do on a Friday night during daylight savings months? Come and be part of a vibrant, energetic celebration of African culture!

In February 2010, the African Twilight Market was launched at the Prospect Plaza, Prospect. The launch was the culmination of 5 years of planning and hard work by Lutheran Community Care, and the African Community Organisation of SA (ACOSA). The market is supported by the City of Prospect, Community Benefit SA and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

This open air market offers the public a taste of Africa, selling a diverse range of African products, including: arts & crafts; jewellery and accessories; food and drinks; clothing and material; instruments; henna painting with traditional African designs. Live entertainment by African performers is also a regular feature.

Cathy Lawson, Manager of Refugee Services at Lutheran Community Care, spoke about the origins of the market, saying that whilst one of the aims was to provide an income generating opportunity for new arrivals to Australia who are on a low income, the African Twilight Market is also much more than that.

“I believe that in our culture one of the ways real acceptance is reflected is in the market place where people buy and sell goods together. This is one way we can show respect for each other’s cultures.”

“We couldn’t have achieved as much as we have without the contribution of volunteers”, Ms Lawson said. “The Market Committee, whilst made up of stall-holders, are volunteering their time to help steer the project.” ACOSA, one of the key partners in the project, is also comprised entirely of volunteers.

The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive, with news of the African Twilight Market spreading throughout various media, including the Adelaide review website ‘Five Thousand’ and a Facebook page.

The African Twilight Market runs every Friday evening 6pm – 9.30pm during daylight savings at the Prospect Plaza (between Cibos Café and the Prospect Council Chambers on Prospect Rd). You can receive updates about the markets via our Facebook page: simply search for “African Twilight Market”.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERING

I was recently inspired by a story which links local volunteers

with a global mission of empowering mothers to enable them

to provide for their families.

When Adelaide-born Carpets for Communities (CfC) founder,

David Bacon, travelled to Thailand several years ago, he was

shocked by the number of children working on the street

at the Thai/Cambodian border. David made friends with a

small group of children who were begging from tourists

and then met with the village women to see what could be

done to help them.

“My main idea was to try and help the children I had befriended

to have proper education and eventually access some of the

opportunities I have had” said David. “The village women said

they needed money or work and that starting a factory to train

people in skills like sewing would be best.”

This trip, together with David’s involvement with AIESEC (a

student-run, global leadership exchange program) ignited his

passion for helping others.

After a lot of research, David and his team came across a

technique called ‘latch hooking’ which enables rugs to be

made from T-shirt and Hessian bag off-cuts. Carpets for

Communities provides all the materials, training and support

to the women/mothers in the community with all profits from

the sale of the rugs in Australia going directly back to the Thai-

Cambodia border community where the money is used by the

women to pay for their children’s education.

Esme Barratt, Hills Volunteering.

Poverty forces many children in the Pot Pet commune in Cambodia to forgo school to work or to beg along the Thai border. This practice not only denies children their right to an education, it also limits their future income generation opportunities – hence perpetuating the vicious poverty cycle. Poverty also makes children living along the Thai-Cambodia border particularly vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation. With the money they earn from making carpets, the women can save their children from having to work and can send them back to school.

Carpets for Communities current mission is “By 2012 we will return 2500 children at risk of exploitation to school by empowering 500 families in Cambodia and the world”. It’s a big mission and one that David is fully committed to. Later this year, he will be moving with his family to Siem Reap in Cambodia work on the business from that end.

“Our volunteers help at many levels in the CfC organisation, including staffing market stalls at markets all across Australia” said David. “In South Australia, volunteers work at the Rundle Street market and Willunga quarry market. We also have the support of businesses such as Head, Heart and Hands in Nairne and The Lotus Floating health and relaxation studio in Mount Barker, who sell and display our carpets.”

The website details the history and achievements of this positive, empowering and compassionate organisation. It also lists where you can purchase carpets and a number of volunteering opportunities.

Visit the CfC website www.carpetsforcommunities.org to find out more.

MEMBER SHOWCASE

Driving

CleaningCateringMentoring

Event managementFundraising

MEMBER SHOWCASE

ENVIRONMENT

Grow and Save AustraliaTania Kearney, Trees For Life

Trees For Life is again looking for Adelaide volunteers to grow native seedlings in their backyards this summer.

Through the award-winning Tree Scheme, volunteers are asked to grow and care for the seedlings for landholders and revegetation projects in South Australia.

The Tree Scheme operates by annual seedling orders being taken for landholders, councils, government projects and private enterprise, with Trees For Life then linking up orders with volunteer growers.

Trees For Life provides all the propagation materials – seed varieties, tubes, boxes, soil and mulch – free to volunteers, along with easy-to-follow instructions. Once sown and raised, volunteers then hand over their seedlings for planting in the winter months.

The seedlings provide food and habitat for our native wildlife, and help counteract some of South Australia’s Greenhouse gas emissions – which is especially important with Climate Change being such a concern.

Each year volunteers raise about one million seedlings in a bid to help continue to revegetate SA, and with the community’s support, Trees For Life is again hoping to reach this target.

People interested in becoming a volunteer grower can phone the office on 8406 0500 or log onto the Trees For Life website:

www.treesforlife.org.au.

Pictured at right: Volunteer, David Bell

JusticeNet SA Gives a Helping HandTim Graham, Executive Director

JusticeNet is a not-for-profit organisation that coordinates free legal assistance in South Australia for eligible individuals and organisations. JusticeNet does this by harnessing the resources of the private legal profession. We match eligible individuals and charitable organisations with a “safety net” of member lawyers who are willing to provide legal assistance on a pro bono basis.

At JusticeNet we appreciate that many charitable organisations have limited discretionary resources to meet the often unanticipated cost of legal expenses. By facilitating free legal assistance for the sector, JusticeNet aims to ensure that the limited resources of charitable organisation can be prioritised for core service delivery, while at the same time increasing the level of efficiency, accountability and compliance in the sector.

Whether JusticeNet can assist your organisation depends on the type of organisation and the nature of the legal matter and to be eligible for assistance your organisation must be based in South Australia and must have exhausted all other potential avenues for assistance, including private legal assistance.

JusticeNet can also assist with matters relating to governance of organisations, incorporation and legal structure.

Go to www.justicenet.org.au and find more information on our series of low-cost legal information seminars tailored for the not-for-profit sector or contact Louise Young on [email protected]

ENVIRONMENT

Jem Tesoriero, Capacity Building Regional Coordinator, SA MDB NRM Board

Managing our natural resources involves a wide range of activities including protecting remnant native vegetation, revegetation, controlling weeds and feral animals, managing wetlands and preventing soil erosion.

Looking after our environment in these ways is a huge job and one that could not be done without the considerable contribution of time, energy, skills, knowledge and resources made by volunteers.

In the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin, a region that covers 5.6 million hectares and includes the state’s entire section of the River Murray, volunteers play a vital role in all aspects of natural resources management - from the initial planning of projects through to their monitoring and evaluation.

A diverse range of volunteers are involved in the Region, including members of small local community groups such as landcare, wetland and Friends of Parks groups, larger voluntary community organisations such as Local Action Planning Groups and short-term volunteers that visit the region to lend a hand through groups like Scouts SA, Conservation

Volunteers Australia and MurrayCare.

With so many individuals and groups involved in such important work, the South Australian

Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management (SA MDB NRM) Board is working in

partnership with Volunteering SA&NT and the local community to develop an NRM Volunteer

Strategy to ensure volunteers are as well supported as possible.

The development of the strategy has involved a series of 6 community and stakeholder consultation workshops across the Region, an E-Survey of volunteers and volunteer managers and meetings with key organisations like Conservation Volunteers Australia, MurrayCare, Trees for Life, other Natural Resources Management Boards and universities.

Key issues that have been highlighted through this process include the importance of a well coordinated approach to volunteer support across the Region, the need for improved volunteer recognition, difficulties in recruiting new volunteers into groups, funding and training requirements for volunteers and the strong message that although volunteers want to work safely and legally, they do not want to be swamped in paperwork or tangled up in red tape!

To find out about volunteering to manage natural resources in the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin or for more information on the NRM Volunteer Strategy:

Contact Jem Tesoriero, Capacity Building Regional Coordinator for the SA MDB NRM Board, on (08) 8532 1432.

Above: A volunteer working to re-establish a flight corridor for the Nationally Endangered Regent Parrot near Swan Reach.

OUT AND ABOUT

Correction: In our Winter Edition article on National Volunteer Weekin Darwin, the picture above was incorrectly captioned.Pictured is Anthony Fogarty (St Vincent de Paul Society)and Hannah Brodie-Hall (Conservation VolunteersAustralia).

Book Launch:Above: Hon Grace Portolesi with co-author, Joy Noble at the launch of Volunteer Management, the Essential Guide at Volunteering SA&NT.

World Week (previously Multicultural Week)

VSA&NT enjoyed the fun at the Adelaide University’s annual event held on campus to celebrate and promote the diversity and rich cultural backgrounds of the university community.

Rendezvous 2010 in Darwin

From the 29th August to the 3rd of September the Darwin Probus Club hosted the 2010 Rendezvous with Participants from Probus clubs across Australia, NZ and Asia. With around 380 participants and 120 Volunteers throughout the event it is a tribute to the quality and commitment of the Darwin Probus team that they put together this hugely successful event. Dominic from VSA&NT Darwin office had the extra privilege of attending the post Rendezvous meeting and thank you ceremony for the volunteers. It was great to be a part of recognising the contribution these volunteers made to the success of the event and seeing the warmth of the relationship between the club and the volunteers was a clear reminder of one of the broader benefits of volunteering. Well done to Janet, her team at Darwin Probus and all the volunteers!! Pictured above: Darwin Probus Club thanking their Rendezvous volunteers.

f l t D i i f VSA&NT D i ffi h d th t i il f tt di th t

MEMBERS & PARTNERS

Through theDepartment for Families and

CommunitiesOffice for Volunteers

Attorney-General’s Department

Thank you to all who have renewed for this year. Your support through membership helps us, as the peak body, have a stronger voice in

volunteering across SA and NT.

Membership benefits include:

If you would like to find out more on how your organisation can enjoy the benefits of Membership, visit our website at www.volunteeringsa.org.au

or contact VSA&NT Business Services Officer on: 08 8221 7177

spring 2010 edition€¦ · mr bernard salt, leading commentator and advisor on consumer, cultural...

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