I hope you enjoyed April’s long weekends. Taking the time to relax and reconnect with loved ones and our community is so important, especially in the busy lives we all lead.
Our highlight this month was the announcement of the2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Award finalists. Spanning from the Kimberley to the South West and representing a range of sectors, including emergency services, mentorship, sport, tourism, and conservation- this year’s Finalists reflect the depth and diversity of volunteering in WA. With more than 230 nominations received, our judging panel had no easy task. A heartfelt to them and our congratulations to all 21 finalists on this outstanding achievement. We can’t wait to meet you all at the Gala Dinner.
The Federal Election Campaign is just around the corner, and with no new commitments to volunteering in the recent Federal Budget, it's more important than ever we secure strong, tangible support from candidates in this election. I encourage you toexplore the campaign materialsdeveloped in collaboration with Volunteering Australia and reach out to your local candidates. Your voice will help drive the investment needed for a sustainable and thriving volunteering ecosystem.
National Volunteer Week kicks off in just over 2-weeks, Monday 19 – Sunday 25 May 2025. Visit the Toolkitfor everything you need to know to celebrate the week, all in one place.
There are plenty of exciting updates and opportunities in this edition of our Sector eNewsletter. I hope you enjoy the read, and as always, happy volunteering!
Tina Williams Volunteering WA CEO
Volunteering WA News
The latest updates from your peak body for volunteering
2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards
Finalists Announced
Volunteering WA is proud to announce and congratulate Western Australia’s incredible 2025 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards finalists.
Across seven categories, 21 finalists were selected from over 230 inspiring nominations, celebrating volunteering in the Kimberley to the South West. Finalists represent many sectors, including emergency services, mental health support, youth mentorship, sport, tourism, and conservation.
The 2025 winners will be announced at the WA Volunteer of the Year Awards gala dinner on 15 May, ahead of National Volunteer Week.
On behalf of Volunteering WA and our valued Award Partners, congratulations and best of luck to all finalists!
The Volunteer Management Activity Project Showcase is a unique opportunity for volunteer managers and wider stakeholders to gain valuable insights from projects that aim to break down barriers to volunteering.
Hear from six project partners, who will present their program innovations and outcomes with an interactive Q&A panel format, allowing for shared knowledge among organisations wanting to engage a more diverse and inclusive volunteer base.
Held every two years, the Volunteering WA State Conference (6 & 7 November 2025) is Western Australia's leading event for the volunteering sector.
Bringing together passionate and forward-thinking leaders from across the state, the Conference creates a powerful platform to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of volunteering.
The Conference theme, From Ideas to Impact, reflects our commitment to moving beyond theory to practical action. Delegates can expect tangible, actionable takeaways that they can immediately implement within their organisations.
Through inspiring speakers, discussions, and workshops, the 2025 Conference aims to advance the sector, promote excellence in volunteer management, and strengthen the impact of volunteering across our communities.
Share Kind Words to Western Australians this National Volunteer Week
Got a minute to make someone’s day?
This National Volunteer Week we're excited to introduce the Kind Words Challenge—a statewide volunteering challenge encouraging Western Australians to write heartfelt, uplifting messages to people who might need words of kindness. You may write to someone in aged care, in hospital, or otherwise else in need of some support.
A short, friendly note is all it takes to bring a smile, brighten someone’s day and remind them they’re not alone.
Pop in and visit selected Volunteer Resource Centres during National Volunteer Week to fill out a free card. It’s a small act with a big impact. Let’s spread kindness and connection to those who really need it.
Member Exclusive | Volunteer Management knowledge and skills survey
Volunteering WA invites 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 5 minutes to complete, will play a vital role in shaping learning and development for you and the sector for 25-26.
Boost volunteer engagement with the Volunteer Search Widget on your website
Looking to attract more volunteers? The Volunteer Search Widget lets you display opportunities directly on your website! Search, display, and recruit, all in one place. Customise your widget and engage your community today!
These short 3-hour sessions are packed with the latest advice and techniques, including change management considerations and cover the benefits and challenges of implementing the National Standards. We’ll review your organisation’s completed Self-Assessment Gap Analysis and explore how to complete an action plan.
Sessions are free for Volunteering WA full members and $50 + GST for others.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to meet and network with other organisations going through the same process.
Does your volunteer-involving organisation have experience with informal volunteers?
Informal volunteering is the fastest growing cohort of volunteering. Volunteering WA's Volunteer Manager Network Meetings provide an opportunity for volunteer managers to meet others working in the same or similar work environment, to exchange ideas, and learn from each other.
Our nextVolunteer Manager Network Meeting will include an exploratory discussion on Informal Volunteering, and to ensure attendees get the most benefit from the session as possible, we want to hear from you. If you would like to contribute any experience, insights or questions for discussion, please share them via email by using the button below.
We're proud to share a landmark report on the state of volunteering in Australia, commissioned collaboratively by the peak volunteering bodies nationwide. 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.
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to our newest member organisations:
State Library of Western Australia
Kin Disability Advocacy
Kingsley Chess Club Inc
Rosewood Care Group
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!
The Federal Election Campaign is now underway, and Volunteering WA has been working with Volunteering Australia to promote our joint Federal Election Platform to WA politicians.
We join Volunteering Australia in calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to:
Implement the National Strategy for Volunteering
Provide cost-of-living relief to volunteers
Increase funding for the Volunteer Management Activity
Reform Volunteer Insurance
Develop a National Volunteer Passport
A thriving volunteering ecosystem is crucial to ensure the provision of essential services, such as food relief, mental health support, aged care, youth services, animal welfare, and emergency response and recovery.
Investing now in the activities and resources that sustain volunteering will build on the creation of the National Strategy for Volunteering and the strong legacy of volunteering in Australia.
The UN General Assembly has officially declared 2026 the International Year for Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026)—a once-in-a-generation chance to spotlight the power of volunteering to build a more just, resilient, and sustainable world.
To prepare, IAVE and global partners are leading a Global Survey to gather input from volunteers, organisations, governments, and other stakeholders. Your insights will help shape a Global Call to Action that identifies what needs to change—and who can help make it happen.
Alike WA is now welcoming grant applications for community-identified and community-led projects that strengthen cultural identity and aim to improve social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in WA.
Dream it Forward grants can offer up to $7000 for your project that improves outcomes for your community. Some past recipients have received funding for on country camps, yarning circles and workshops that share Elders' cultural knowledge.
Want more young volunteers? Here's some advice for getting them involved
78% of young West Aussies volunteer, but we know if can be hard for some organisations to adapt their programs to connect with young people. Read this case study from our member Scouts WA, to pick up some tips for your own program!
Connect, Engage and Share: Focus on Informal Volunteering
Online & In-Person | 1 CPD Point
Meet others in the same work environment, exchange ideas, enhance your professional development and discuss informal volunteering in a casual environment.
Are you taking full advantage of your Volunteering WA membership? Join our Member Services Team as they explore your opportunities, connect you with programs and staff, and more.
Implementing the Refreshed Volunteer National Standards Workshop
Online/In-Person | CPD Points
This interactive three hour session will help you align with best practice by implementing the Volunteer National Standards, and provide you with useful resources.
Each year millions of dollars are given away to not for profit organisations through government grants. Join us and find out how to become one of the lucky recipients!
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.
Volunteering WA, Level 1, 3 Loftus Street, West Leederville, WA 6007, Australia, +61 8 9482 4333
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