What a month May has been – full of celebration, connection, and gratitude! National Volunteer Week (19-25 May) is always a highlight on our calendar, and this year was no exception. From the many morning teas and community events to the unforgettable WA Volunteer of the Year Awards, it was heartening to see so many of you embracing the week with such joy and pride. With 1.5 million volunteers across WA, this annual celebration is a powerful reminder of the generosity, dedication and community spirit that powers our state. It’s crucial we take the time to thank our valued volunteers for their contributions. Volunteering WA's social media was bursting with posts supporting and celebrating volunteers across every sector.
We hope you enjoyed celebrating National Volunteer Week, Australia’s largest celebration of volunteering.
I had the pleasure of speaking at several celebration events funded by our National Volunteer Week Grants alongside Minister Beazley, and of course our very ownWA Volunteer of the Year Awards. What a night! With moving acceptance speeches and standing ovations, the evening was packed with feel-good moments and stories that reminded us all why we do what we do. You can read about all of the 2025 Award Winners online. I know you’ll be as inspired by them as I was.
Although National Volunteer Week has now wrapped up, there’s still plenty to look forward to! Tickets are now on sale for the2025 Volunteering WA State Conference, and we’re currently on the lookout for speakers. If you have research, innovative volunteer management approaches, or inspiring stories of volunteer-driven impact, we welcome contributions from anyone committed to strengthening volunteering, and helping us translate Ideas into Impact.
Finally, a huge thank you to all the amazing volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations across WA. The work you do is immeasurable, and our state simply couldn’t function without you.
As always, happy volunteering!
Tina Williams Volunteering WA CEO
Volunteering WA News
The latest updates from your peak body for volunteering
National Volunteer Week 2025:
Celebrating WA's 1.5 million volunteers
National Volunteer Week(19-25 May) saw thousands of events and activities take place across the country to celebrate the power of volunteering. This year’s theme, ‘Connecting Communities’, resonated with communities across the state.
We were proud to host the 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards, a favourite on the volunteering calendar. The event was attended by 320 people including His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia; and the Hon Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister for Volunteering.
Congratulations to Western Australia's 2025 Winners:
May Bowden, Excellence in Volunteer Management presented by Aon
WA All Abilities Football Association, WA Inclusive Volunteering Award presented by Minderoo Foundation
Colin Longworth, Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering presented by Advocare
Bree Del Borrello, WA Young Volunteer of the Year presented by Stan Perron Charitable Foundation
Horizon Power, Corporate Volunteering Impact Award presented by NeonLogic
Care for Hedland Environmental Association, Community Volunteer Organisation of the Year supported by Lotterywest
Brian Gallop ASM OStJ, RAC WA Volunteer of the Year presented by RAC
Keep an eye on Volunteering WA’s social media channels for features on our Winners. Thank you for celebrating National Volunteer Week with us, and a very special thank you to every volunteer making a contribution to Western Australia!
Call for speaker abstracts | 2025 Volunteering WA State Conference
Over 200 leaders from WA’s volunteering sector will come together on 6-7 November, for two days and three streams of inspiring and actionable sessions.
We invite contributions from anyone committed to enhancing volunteering — be it through research, innovative volunteer management strategies, or compelling stories of volunteer-led change.
Focus areas, include (but are not limited to): • bridging the gap between volunteering research and practice • practical implementation of ideas & creating actionable strategies • leading change in volunteer management • leveraging technology • innovative engagement strategies • building strong volunteer leadership
FROM IDEAS TO IMPACT - let's continue to power volunteering in Western Australia. Speaker expressions of interest close 30 June.
Early Bird tickets close 31 July.
Youth and Regional Subsidies opening soon.
Thank you to our Conference Partners for making this sector forum possible
*These sessions are offered free, thanks to funding from the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Register atvolunteeringwa.org.au/training
Join us for the free Volunteer Management Showcase, to hear from six partners and gain valuable insights into inclusive volunteering practices.
In the afternoon, get ready for a fun and interactive workshop we’re calling the ‘Backyard BBQ Crawl’! You’ll have the chance to visit four unique backyard tables, each one hosted by a team sharing powerful insights from different volunteer-related projects.
Volunteering WA connects sector with new Minister for Volunteering, the Hon Hannah Beazley MLA
We had the pleasure of hosting an informal Meet the Minister afternoon tea in May, for volunteering sector leaders. Minister Beazley shared insights on her new volunteering portfolio and how we can collaborate as a sector to ensure volunteering continues to thrive in WA. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this delightful event!
Resources, tips and tools for Volunteer Managers
Our monthly Volunteer Management Topic Series newsletter provides volunteer managers with a source of advice and resources to assist best practice and volunteer management excellence.
Our most recent issue gave advice on the important issues to consider when designing volunteer roles. Make sure you subscribe to receive future issues and get in touch with us if you would like to suggest a topic to be covered.
Volunteering WA launches National Snapshot of Volunteering in Australia Report
The Snapshot of Volunteering in Australia Report published in early May, was commissioned by State and Territory volunteering peak bodies to provide an overview of volunteering across Australia. It features insights from 6,830 individuals and 3,948 volunteer managers across every state and territory.
It's a powerful snapshot of where volunteering stands today—and where it's headed.
Are you promoting your volunteer roles effectively?
If you’re new here, don’t forget you can advertise your volunteer opportunities through VIKTOR – the national recruitment platform connecting organisations with volunteers. Listings appear on the Volunteering WA website and partner sites, helping generate over 260,000 volunteer applications across Australia each year.
Member exclusive | Volunteer Management knowledge and skills survey
Do you manage volunteers? We invite you to share your valuable insights on your current role and the skills needed to enhance your development in the volunteer sector. This brief survey, taking no more than five minutes to complete, will play a vital role in shaping learning and development for you and the sector for 2025-26.
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to our newest member organisations:
West Australian Pet Project Inc
WA All Abilities Football Association
Taiwan Hakka Association Western Australia
As members, you've now joined a network of hundreds of organisations and a collective which shapes the future of volunteering. Thank you for supporting volunteering in Western Australia!
Applications open: International Volunteer Day Grants
Delivered by the Department of Communities, grants of up to $1,000 are available for community organisations to host events or activities occurring between 1 - 7 December 2025 in celebration of volunteers for International Volunteer Day (5 December 2025).
Capacity Building Grants open: WA Mental Health Week
Whether you want people to gather and connect to increase mental health awareness by hosting an event; grow their mind by learning new skills and knowledge in a mental health course; or stock not-for-profit services with equipment and activities for physical health and creative participation – WAAMH has it covered.
EOIs are open across three key pillars: Education; Equipment; or Events until 1pm 16 July 2025.
Regional organisations: Would you like a group of volunteers to help you with a project?
Curtin Volunteers! is currently taking expressions of interest from regional not-for-profit organisations who could benefit from the help of a group of energetic university students over a weekend in September/early October.
Curtin Volunteers! is looking to partner with organisations within a 4-5 hour drive from Perth. Examples of projects students have contributed towards in previous years include community events, environmental activities and community space maintenance activities.
ACT Legislative Assembly Inquiry into the costs of insurance for small business and community service organisations
Volunteering ACT and the ACT Council of Social Services have made ajoint submissionto highlight the impact of insurance costs on volunteers and volunteer involving organisations. The recommendations align with Volunteering WA's Volunteering Community Reference Group paper on volunteer insurance.
Welcome new Minister for Social Services, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Congratulations to the new Minister for Social Services, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP. We look forward to working with Minister Plibersek to ensure inclusive volunteering continues to thrive in WA through the Volunteer Management Activity.
We warmly acknowledge and thank the outgoing Hon Amanda Rishworth MP for her support of Volunteering WA and the sector.
Expressions of Interest open | McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internships
Does your organisation have any upcoming projects that a UWA intern could complete? The McCusker Centre for Citizenship is now calling for Expressions of Interest to host an intern in Semester 2 2025. Previous hosts include Lifeline WA, Spectrum Space and WA Council of Social Service. If you would like to host an intern at your organisation, you will find all the key dates, eligibility criteria and next steps via the button below.
Congratulations Community Services Excellence Awards winners!
The Community Services Excellence Awards celebrate and recognise the services and individuals from the community service sector. It was an honour to be named a finalist among so many incredible organisations and individuals.
Congratulations to the Community Services Excellence Awards winners:
Healing Smiles
Reconciliation WA – Respect Rising Great Southern
Ruah Community Services
Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation – Youth Connection Night Space
Anglicare WA, Vinnies WA, Ruah, Centrecare Inc - WA Rent Relief Program
CASE STUDY: Volunteer retention done right: 98% of People Who Care volunteers say 'I'm staying'
With 99% of volunteers recommending their volunteering experience and 98% planning to stay for another year, Volunteering WA member organisation People Who Care is setting the gold standard for volunteer retention in Western Australia. We had the pleasure of speaking with Jo Muller from People Who Care about their volunteer program, goals, and a volunteer so dedicated she found a way to speak with a client who had medical issues affecting her speech.
Australian Sports Commission's Volunteer Map celebrates volunteers across the nation
From the city to the outback, volunteers connect Australian communities through sport. To celebrate National Volunteer Week, the Australian Sports Commission developed an interactive map to celebrate and share sport volunteer stories. Give 3 Cheers to a volunteer you know and put them on the map today!
An Introduction: National Standards for Volunteer Involvement
Online | 0.5 CPD Points
Learn how to align your volunteer program with best practice using the refreshed National Standards for Volunteer Involvement. Ideal for both new and experienced volunteer leaders!
Foundation Workshop: Understanding Volunteer Management, Challenges and Opportunities
Online | 2 CPD Points
This interactive workshop explores challenges, uncovers opportunities, and equips you with practical tools to support and strengthen your volunteer program.
Discover how to build stronger connections and create inclusive, effective volunteer teams in this free workshop designed to improve group dynamics and impact.
Volunteering WA empowers people and communities to enrich Western Australia.
Volunteering WA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, and to other Aboriginal people and communities across Western Australia where we work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
