With the vast expanse of summer holidays lying ahead of you, you might now be wondering what to do with all the new-found time on your hands. Have you considered volunteering?
With loads of options out there, you’ll not only have something to do, but you’ll also have a fun and rewarding experience, make new friends and contribute to a worthwhile cause.
Volunteer at a festival
Summertime is festival time in Australia, and music and arts festivals are always crying out for volunteers, whether it be their street team, front-of-house ticketing staff, giving out wristbands, cleaning, ushering, or just general crowd control. You’ll usually do an eight-hour shift either before or during the festival, and get free entry for your efforts. With any luck, you may even get to catch your favourite band or get to see your favourite show, and with music festival tickets generally over $150 it’s a pretty great opportunity to do some work, experience a festival, and have fun at the same time.
For more information, most major arts and music festivals have volunteer information on their website.
Untitled and Secret Sounds are the biggest names in the Australian events game, each hosting internationally-renowned festivals across the country. Check out the events on their websites to see where you could volunteer this summer.
Volunteer with an environmental organisation
If you want to make the most of your Australian summer and spend your time outdoors, soaking up the sun, there’s no better way to do it than by volunteering with an environmental organisation. You can spend your time planting trees, undertaking survey activities, or caring for Australia’s unique bushlands, all the while knowing that your time is helping make Australia’s environment a better place. There are loads of organisations all around the country, so you’ll be sure to find something near you.
To help you get started, check out the organisations below.
- Sea Shepherd Australia – help the dedicated team at Sea Shepherd to protect marine life and keep Australian beaches pristine by attending a beach clean. If you’re really passionate about marine conservation, you can join the team and become an active onshore volunteer over the summer and beyond.
- Conservation Volunteers – a national organisation working with communities to re-balance nature and connect people with important conservation needs. The team is currently working to repair environmental damage as a result of the floods. Get involved with this great cause and check out their projects in your city.
- Greening Australia – a national not-for-profit committed to restoring Australia’s diverse landscapes and protecting biodiversity. The organisation regularly runs community events and workshops across Australia. Find out how you can do your part.
Volunteer your support to others
Volunteering your time and support to others is an extremely rewarding experience for everyone involved. Whether it’s serving food to homeless people, translating and interpreting for asylum seekers, or giving emotional support to those having a difficult time – you’ll no doubt make valuable contributions and connections.
Check out some of the organisations below:
- Lifeline support – a national charity providing those experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. As a volunteer, you can provide phone support or digital support and if you are fluent in other languages, you can even act as a translator and interpreter.
- Salvation Army Christmas hamper packing – Christmas can be a difficult time of the year for many due to the pressure of spending money. You can help bring a bit of extra spirit to those doing it tough by arranging gift hampers and collecting donations.
- Foodbank Australia – Australia’s largest food relief organisation, operating on a scale that makes it crucial to the work of the front-line charities who are feeding vulnerable Australians. Check out the volunteering opportunities available in your state.
Volunteer on campus
If you feel like spending your summer on campus (and let’s face it, most are beautiful so it wouldn’t be that bad), and want to explore life outside your books and study, your education provider will probably have a volunteering program you can sign up to. Check out your education provider’s website and search for any volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer websites
If you’re after a rewarding experience that lets you give back to your new community, there are a number of volunteer websites around that aim to connect volunteers to roles they’ll be suited for. Whether it’s café support or kitchen hand duties, administrative support, volunteering at a community sports event, or helping provide services to youth and the elderly, you’ll be able to find something you’ll want to give your time to.
- GoVolunteer is a great resource with hundreds of fulfilling volunteer opportunities on offer, including tutoring, environmental work, helping at sporting events, and even gift-wrapping presents at shopping centres:
- Volunteering Australia can help you connect with other volunteering organisations in your State:
- Seek Volunteer is a job search website for volunteers, where you can search by categories.
Read more: How to Make The Most of Volunteering.
