Volunteering

You can experience working for causes that you are interested in, or assist in creating change in areas that are important to you. You can build new skills, meet new people and add variety to your work experience. One of the great things about volunteering is you get to spend time doing what you love.

There’s a wide range of organisations to become involved with and people are always needed to help, get involved and share their skills.

There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities for people to help out, get involved and share their skills in Mount Alexander Shire. To find out more about these opportunities, visit Volunteering Victoria.

You also can find volunteer roles advertised on Seek Volunteers.

Local Volunteering support

Volunteer Central Vic is the key support service for Volunteers and Volunteer-Involving Organisations in the Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and Heathcote areas. Volunteer Central Vic aims to provide a matching referral service for people seeking volunteering opportunities.

They are part of a national network of Volunteer Resource Centres and Services, funded by the Commonwealth Government. Their state peak body is Volunteering Victoria. Volunteer Central Vic are a service of Cobaw Community Health. They can offer:

• One-on-one assistance and coaching for volunteer managers
• Resources and training for volunteer organisations
• Advertising local volunteer roles along with help to draft adverts and role descriptions

To find out more please contact Volunteer Central Vic on 03 5421 1619 or email info@volunteercentralvic.com.au or visit their website www.volunteercentralvic.com.au.

Volunteer Central Vic are available at their resource centre at the Castlemaine Library on Wednesday’s from 10am to 2pm. No appointment necessary. (please confirm with Volunteer Central Vic during COVID-19)

Alternatively you can contact the following organisations:

• Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre – 5471 1795
• Maldon Visitor Information Centre – 5475 2569
• Mount Alexander Shire Council - Social Support Volunteers - 5471 1700
• Castlemaine Community House - 5472 4842
• Newstead Rural Transaction Centre - 5476 2407
• Maldon Neighbourhood Centre - 5475 2093
• Castlemaine Community House - 5472 4842
• Newstead Rural Transaction Centre - 5476 2407
• Maldon Neighbourhood Centre - 5475 2093

Our Community Group Training supports local volunteers, residents and community organisations across Mount Alexander Shire and surrounds.

Bookings are essential and places limited. To register for a FREE workshop please visit Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.com.au or follow the links below.

Volunteers Needed! How to Attract, Cultivate and Celebrate Your Essential Supporters - POSTPONED
Wednesday 25th March 2020, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Volunteers are the life blood of community groups and organisations. This workshop covers the core business of community groups: how to find, keep and recognize the work of your all-important volunteers.
Following the recent advice regarding COVID-19, this training session has been postponed. Registered participants will be contacted directly. Thank you for your understanding. We hope to reschedule the training for later in the year..

Funding Bonanza! Q & A with a panel of leading funding experts - POSTPONED
Friday 22nd May 2020, 10.00am - 12.00pm
National Volunteer Week Event! Q & A panel of leading funding/grants experts. Come along and hear what funders are looking for in a grant application and what funding programs are available. Bring along your questions for the panel or register a question before the session.
Following the recent advice regarding COVID-19, this training has been postponed. Registered participants will be contacted directly. Thank you for your understanding. We hope to reschedule the training for later in the year.

Volunteering and the Law! Essential legal tips for your community group
Please note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this session will now be delivered as a 3 hour interactive webinar.
Webinar details and further information will be emailed prior to the training.
Friday 17 July, 9.30am to 12.30pm
This 3 hour session, facilitated by Justice Connect, will provide essential training for anyone in a position of managing or coordinating volunteers.
To register visit Eventbrite Volunteering and the Law! Essential legal tips for your community group.

Are you child safe? Helping your organisation become child safe
Please note: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this session will now be delivered as a webinar. Webinar details and further information will be emailed prior to the training.
Wednesday 9th September, 12.00pm to 2.00pm or 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Child Safe Fundamentals training, facilitated by Child Wise, aims to assist staff and volunteers to understand the legislative context and how the Principles/Standards apply to their organisation and to their day to day work with children and young people.
To register visit Eventbrite Are you child safe? Helping your organisation become child safe

How to be a dynamic committee. Working well as a committee!
Thursday 8th October 2020, 6pm - 8.30pm
Learn the foundations of running a committee, how to get your committee off to a great start and work well together including roles and responsibilities explained.
To register visit Eventbrite How to be a dynamic committee. Working well as a committee!. Please note: Due to the impact of COVID-19, the delivery of this training may be reviewed so please still register if you are interested in attending and we will keep you updated with the details.

Help Yourself: Avoiding Burnout for Volunteer Managers
Thursday 5th November 2020, 6pm – 9.00pm
Volunteer Managers often have to manage others in crisis, and are vulnerable to burnout and overwhelm. If you are looking for help to recharge your volunteering batteries, or just need an energy boost at this busy time of year, this session is for you.
To register visit Eventbrite Help Yourself: Avoiding Burnout for Volunteer Managers. Please note: Due to the impact of COVID-19, the delivery of this training may be reviewed so please still register if you are interested in attending and we will keep you updated with the details.

Venues details provided at time of booking.

Please note session dates and times may be subject to change due to the impact of COVID-19.

For further information or if you require additional support to attend a workshop please contact the Community Partnerships Team at Mount Alexander Shire Council on 03 5471 1700.

If you enjoy spending time with older adults and people with disabilities you might like to join our fantastic team of Social Support Volunteers.

They provide support and companionship for isolated older people living in the community in a wide range of individual and group social programs and activities.

Good communication skills and a sense of humour are a must! If you have one hour or more per week free and would like to get involved, please contact us. Training is provided.For more information please contact Intake on 5471 1766.