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Volunteering
More than five million Australians volunteer each year. These volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to many areas of society including health care, the arts, sport, the environment, education, emergency services and social justice.
The City of Whitehorse is fortunate to have a vibrant volunteer community. Many of the groups and services that operate in Whitehorse could not do so without the support and effort of our volunteers.
Council itself engages more than 500 volunteers in many different roles and programs including food services, Walking School Bus, park advisory committees, Sustainable Ambassadors, homework and study group programs and more. Our volunteers are crucial to the delivery of many of our services and add value in many different ways.
Why Volunteer?
The reasons people choose to volunteer are many and varied. These include:
- To give back to the community
- To meet new people
- To gain experience
- To stay active and involved
- To try something new
- To learn new skills
- To have fun
- To support a cause
Volunteer Opportunities
Some of the sectors in which volunteers play a central role include:
- Fire fighting, lifesaving, and emergency response
- Health, welfare and care services, and associated support systems
- Pre-school and school education, adult education and lifelong learning
- Arts, heritage and tourism
- Sport and recreation
- Conservation and environment
- Community governance and local government
- Community justice, corrections and juvenile justice, courts and tribunals.
Opportunities at Whitehorse City Council
Volunteer Host at the Box Hill Town Hall
Volunteer hosts play a key role, welcoming and directing visitors to meeting rooms and the Whitehorse Art Space exhibitions as well as providing information to these visitors about activities and events on at the Box Hill Town Hall. This is a key role in the Box Hill Town Hall’s day-to-day activities by providing a first point of contact, interacting with the public and promoting the town hall and the Whitehorse Art Space and its collections.
Whitehorse Art Space
Are you interested in local history? Did you know that the Box Hill region was the birthplace of Australian Impressionism? Do you enjoy talking to people about art and history? The Whitehorse Art Space just might be the place for you. Roles include administration; cataloguing artworks and memorabilia; exhibition installation and dismantling; gallery sitting; guiding; marketing and research.
Cruzin’ Study
Cruzin' Study is a multicultural youth homework support program that aims to provide culturally and linguistically diverse young people with access to additional language and study support to provide the essential opportunity to achieve optimum educational outcomes. If you are a professional who has worked in the educational field and are able to tutor up to Year 12, this role may suit you.
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary
Do you have a love of nature and enthusiasm to share it with the community? Blackburn Lake Sanctuary provides opportunities for many volunteer activities including school and community education programs (guided walks, talks, hands-on activities, environmental games); staffing the visitor centre; Water Watch monitoring; weed control; advisory committee; mulching; tree planting and seed collection.
Parkland Advisory Committees
These committees play a vital role assisting with the management of our reserves and parklands as well as doing planting and weeding and rubbish collection in the parks. It is a great way to get to know other locals and neighbours as well as keeping fit and helping out.
Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)
Volunteers are needed to pick up meals and deliver them to frail older people and people with disabilities living in their own homes. Monitoring the wellbeing of the recipient and reporting any concerns is a vital part of your role. You will be a valued member of the team and training and support will be provided.
Walking School Bus
Walking School Buses are a healthy, fun, safe and environmentally-friendly way for students to travel to and from school. Volunteers drive the bus, picking up children at stops along the way.
Major Events
Council runs a number of events. In the coming year, exciting opportunities exist for volunteers to support our event management team – gain experience in events coordination, learn new skills and play a valued role in the community. Events include Harmony Day, Spring Festival, Whitehorse Carols.
Reconciliation Committee
This committee provides strategic advice on access and inclusion issues relating to Council initiatives, services, activities, functions and facilities. It also works to ensure that the Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan remains relevant to Council and the broader community.
Disability Advisory Committee
This committee provides strategic advice on access and inclusion issues relating to Council activities, functions and facilities. It also works to ensure that the Disability Action Plan remains relevant to Council and the community.
Links to Volunteering Websites
For more information about volunteering in Whitehorse, call 9262 6333 and ask to speak to Council’s Civic Participation/Volunteer Officer.