Changing lives and communities through local opportunities in learning, volunteering, community support and partnerships.
If you own or know someone who owns a vehicle from this era and would like your vehicle to become a part of this display we would love to hear from you – a push bike, motorcycle, tractor, aircraft, motor car, army jeep, tank etc.
Checklist: to complete when holding an event *new national resource*
This checklist highlights some of the major considerations for community organisations when holding an event.
Insurance and risk management for community organisations *new national resource*
This guide covers the risks associated with running a community organisation, measures that can be taken to avoid or minimise risks, and choosing the right type of insurance.
Ending an organisation – FAQs *new national resource*
This fact sheet aims to answer the frequently asked questions about the process of ending an incorporated association or company limited by guarantee.
Insolvency and your organisation *new national resource*
This fact sheet covers what it means to be insolvent, the duty to prevent insolvency, the key warning signs of, and how to protect against insolvency.
Who can conduct an audit of fundraising accounts? *new*
This fact sheet provides an overview of the different definitions of ‘auditor’ under the relevant fundraising regimes in each Australian state and territory.
Changing your organisation’s structure from an incorporated association (NSW) *updated*
This fact sheet helps organisations considering changing their legal structure and outlines how to make the change.
Financial reporting for charities *updated*
This fact sheet sets out financial reporting requirements for registered charities.
The  Australian Bureau of Statistics  has released a formall call  for Australians to have their say on the data collected for volunteering and acts of giving. We would like to encourage all to get involved and inform industry of how current and future research could be improved to better meet the needs of communities.
Access to information is often understated in our current digital landscape, but clear, concise and reliable statistics on volunteerism are crucial for improving policy and planning, as well as advancing our understanding of how volunteers impact society at large.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics would love to hear your ideas on what kind of data they should be collecting and analysing, or any additional ways they could build knowledge for the volunteering sector.
For those interested, this unique opportunity for consultation is available until 12 May.
Tickets Sales Open Monday 17 April 2017. Close Monday 08 May or until sold.
Tickets available at Horsham Town Hall Box Office.
The Volunteering Recognition Awards with Bendigo Bank will be held at the Horsham Town Hall on Friday 12 May 2017.
Nominations Close 15 March 2017
Ticket Sales Open Monday 17 April 2017
Ticket Sales Close Monday 8 May 2017
Awards Night 12 May 2017
Individual Awards
Organisational/Program Awards
Landcare Awards
Overall Leading Volunteer Team 2017 Award
The recipient of this award shall be selected from the winners of the Organisational Awards and the Landcare Local Group Award by the Gold Sponsor, Bendigo Bank.
The recipient of this award will exemplify the ethos of volunteering and community engagement.
To download a poster you can print off please click here
Volunteering Australia is asking help to retain designated funding for Volunteering Support Services.
Sign the petition today and defend volunteering in your community.
The petition asks the Senate to:
Volunteering is a tower of strength in our communities with 5.8 million Australians or 31 per cent of the population volunteering, making an estimated annual contribution of $290 billion to our economic and social good.
Volunteering touches every section of Australian society including, but not limited to education, emergency services, sport and recreation, arts and heritage as well as the social services. The far-reaching contribution volunteering makes builds strong and resilient Australian communities.
The redesign of the Strong and Resilient Communities grants to take effect from 1 January 2018 does not include a volunteer management stream of funding specifically allocated to Volunteering Support Services meaning volunteering will be forced to compete alongside other worthwhile projects from across the community services for broader pools of funding that respond to themes of disadvantage.
These proposed changes to funding have the potential to rip the heart out of place based Volunteering Support Services. This year, the Strong and Resilient Communities grants are delivering between $6-$7.5 million in funding to on-the-ground programs as part of the volunteer management stream of funding. To lose this would be an enormous blow to communities who rely on the volunteering programs that this funding delivers.
*Volunteering Support Services (also known as Volunteer Resource Centres or Volunteering Support Organisations) provide place-based volunteering support services to volunteers and volunteer involving organisations in their locality.
MEDIA RELEASE
7 March
The Andrews Labor Government will provide $125,000 towards an innovative community transport service that will improve access  to health care in the Wimmera region.
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford announced the funding today, which will help the Centre for Participation deliver pilot service where volunteers drive local residents to and from medical appointments.
Under the pilot, volunteers may use their own vehicles or those provided by local council and health providers to transport people who have difficulty accessing medical services to their appointments.
The Labor Government funding will cover the first 12 months of the 24-month pilot, which is set to begin in mid-2017.
The Centre for Participation, as well as local councils and health providers will partner to contribute in kind a further $60,000 towards the service.
It’s the sort of innovative community transport solution outlined in the Labor Government Regional Network Development Plan – Victoria’s first ever long term strategy for better public transport in regional Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“This community transport service will help people across the Wimmera access the health services they need, when they need them.”
“Innovative local transport solutions like this pilot are identified in the Regional Network Development Plan announced last year, and are part of our vision for a more convenient, responsive services in rural Victoria.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford
“This service will be vital for locals – particularly the elderly and those with disabilities that prevent them from driving.”
We have just 3 questions for you, and you don’t have to answer them all.
Ask us anything! We are here to help.
Find out more about how you can participate in ways that suit you.