Can you believe we’re already halfway through 2025?
We’re still buzzing from the excitement of National Volunteer Week in May, the nation’s largest celebration of volunteers! Thank you to everyone who got involved to support and recognise the 1.5 million volunteers who keep WA communities strong, connected and thriving.
We recently hosted the Volunteer Management Project Grant Showcase, to hear how organisations used grant funding to reduce barriers to volunteering, boost participation, improve culture, and support healthy thriving communities. Thank you to the Kimberley Aboriginal Women’s Council, Perth African Nations Sporting Association, Shire of Carnarvon, Sister Project, Teach Learn Grow and Volunteer South West who all shared project insights and anecdotes with attendees. Your stories were a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusive practice in our sector.
This month’s newsletter is packed with exciting opportunities. This is the last call for expressions of interest to present at the 2025 Volunteering WA State Conference, and we’d love to hear from those with research, case studies or inspiring stories that help strengthen volunteering in WA. You’ll also find links to nominate for Australian of the Year, apply for Mental Health Week and WA Bike Month grants, and much more. I can think of many volunteers and organisations who are perfect for these opportunities, and I’m sure you will too.
There’s plenty happening as we head into the second half of the year, and we look forward to continuing the momentum.
As always, happy volunteering!
Tina Williams Volunteering WA CEO
Volunteering WA News
The latest updates from your peak body for volunteering
Project learnings, networking and diversity strategies shared at Volunteer Management Activity Showcase
Earlier this month Volunteering WA hosted our Volunteer Management Activity Project Showcase, a unique event with presentations from grant-funded organisations who undertook projects to boost participation in volunteering. A room full of volunteer managers joined us to hear inspirational stories and gain meaningful perspectives.
Presentations were followed by a creatively themed 'Backyard BBQ Crawl' workshop, complete with aprons, hats and tongs! Thank you to the dedicated grant project partners and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Group for showcasing the impact of inclusive volunteering.
2025-26 Volunteer Management Activity funding recipients announced
Volunteering WA administers the project grants to support a thriving volunteering culture, build the capacity of volunteer-involving organisations and boost participation in volunteering.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, a total of $300,000 in grant funding has been allocated to four innovative projects across WA:
Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council - The Ripple Effect
Volunteer South West - Empower
Umbrella Multicultural Care Services - Bridge to Belonging
Mettle Inc - Mettle Together
Congratulations to the recipients of the Volunteer Management Activity Project-Based Grants!
Last chance to submit your abstract to present at WA's leading event for the volunteering sector
This is your chance to add your voice to the Volunteering WA State Conference. We invite presenter expressions of interest from volunteers, volunteer management professionals, researchers, industry partners, corporates, government, peak bodies and other associations – anyone with a passion for enhancing the volunteering experience. Subsidies are available for regional speakers and attendees.
This opportunity only comes once every two years. Don't miss the chance to share your insights and experiences with key members of the sector.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) close at 5:00pm on Monday, 30 June 2025.
Volunteering WA Research Grant 2025-26 Recipients announced
Volunteering WA’s established Research Grant program funds research that advances the body of knowledge for volunteering, and to support early-career Researchers.
This year, we are thrilled to award funding to two research projects:
University of Western Australia & Edith Cowan University | “A Roadmap to AI Adoption Within Western Australia’s Volunteering Sector. Opportunities, AI Readiness and Risk Mitigation”
Curtin University | “Family Influence on volunteering participation in Western Australia”
The two funded projects commence 1 July and further details can be found in the announcement.
If you are interested in volunteering research, subscribe to our twice-yearly Research Digest.
RAC offering free presentations for community groups
Does your local community group want to feel better informed about what to do in the event of a vehicle breakdown? Perhaps you are looking for tips when driving on regional roads? Maybe you are curious about purchasing an electric vehicle or want to understand e-scooter safety?
RAC is committed to improving the lives of West Australians for the better. To help improve the knowledge of our community, RAC offers free Community Presentations, delivered by RAC staff.
Through the Community Presentation program, last year, RAC staff connected with more than 630 members, delivering two presentations a month to a range of WA community groups. With the choice of selecting from a suite of topics that include, a buying guide for sustainable modes of transport, vehicle safety, renewable energy, and a trip down memory lane, where members can reminisce through 119 years of history at RAC.
If you’re a local community group who is eager to learn more on a variety of lifestyle topics that impact West Australians, visit RAC Community Presentations to make a booking today.
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to our newest member organisations:
Technology for Ageing and Disability WA
The Aliyah Mae Foundation
West Australian Football Commission
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!
Have you read the National Snapshot into Volunteering yet?
The Australian State and Territory peak bodies, including Volunteering WA, commissioned the ‘Snapshot of Volunteering in Australia Report’ to see how each State compares.
1-year on from the release of The National Strategy for Volunteering Action Plan 2024-2027
The Action Plan 2024-2027 was the first three-year Action Plan of the National Strategy for Volunteering and outlined a set of co-designed actions designed to address priorities for National Strategy implementation.
As the Sector is a third of the way through this Action Plan, we encourage you to refamiliarise yourself with the National Strategy, the Action Plan, and the the best-practice standards for our Sector and review where your organisation is sitting.
It's a national effort! Let's engage with young volunteers
National Student Volunteer Week (NSVW) is an opportunity to acknowledge the impact that students and young volunteers make through volunteering. This year National Student Volunteer Week will be 4 – 10 August 2025 and the theme is Powered by Purpose. Students around Australia are committed to getting actively involved with causes they believe in to contribute to positive change.
Find NSVW resources, graphics, and editable certificates on our website soon.
This year, the Western Australian Association for Mental Health aims to provide grants recognising the theme, Empowering Communities, Thriving Workforces to Not-For-Profit agencies.
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.
Help the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD) find a new home
After nearly two decades at 245 Stirling Street, Perth, CARAD must find a new home. They're calling on community support to help make the transition to a new location a reality. The money they raise will directly ensure CARAD can continue operating without interruption, providing the essential support their clients depend on as they rebuild their futures.
Nominations open | 2026 Australian of the Year Awards
Each year our nation celebrates the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all.
WA's own Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM (Wheelchairs for Kids) took home Senior Australian of the Year for 2025! Do you know another outstanding individual from the volunteering sector who deserves to be celebrated through the Australian of the Year Awards?
What do you know about Advance Care Planning support in your community?
Advance Care Planning support is something many people avoid or feel daunted by, but it's important in all communities. Linkwest wants to know about your familiarity with Advance Care Planning and the information or support available to you in your community. Help contribute to this research by completing a survey by Linkwest.
EEO Specialists are offering 4 grants of $5,000 each to support new or existing projects that create sustainable change for vulnerable women and children in WA. Deductible gift recipient (DGR) status is required.
Previous recipients include a number of Volunteering WA members, including ADHD WA, Leading Youth Forward, Little Things for Tiny Tots, and Multicutlural Services Centre.
Improve your volunteer management skillset with a deep dive into National Standard 4: Recruitment is equitable and diversity is valued. Please note this session is being run by the Centre of Volunteering who are based in NSW.
Making the Most of your Volunteering WA Membership Information Session
Online
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.
Learn about the concept of cultural lens, biases, inclusivity and more from proud Bundjalung woman, Tania Harris from the Health Consumers’ Council. Hurry, only 15 spots available!
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.
