There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities available in the Geelong Region. Whether it be mentoring young people, helping out at a breakfast club, planting a tree, visiting the elderly or offering your skills to not-for-profit organisations - volunteers can make a difference in so many ways. You may be an experienced volunteer or just starting out. A good place to start is by browsing through the many volunteer opportunities in the Geelong region by using the Search for Volunteer Roles feature (top right corner of our website) . Also take a look at a snapshot of volunteer vacancies
Also you can search for volunteer roles across Australia using the website Go Volunteer.
Alternatively you can call or email Volunteering Geelong. Our trained Volunteer Information Officers can assist you to find a volunteer position that best meets your interests and the needs of the community organisation (Ph: 03 52211377).
Below are some of our featured volunteer opportunities but we have hundreds more positions available by searching in the 'Search for Volunteer Roles' (top right hand corner of our website).
Rosewall Committee of Management Recruitment
Rosewall Neighborhood Centre is a vibrant and innovative Community Centre located in the heart of the Rosewall community, North Corio. The Centre services a diverse community offering them a place to meet, hold community events, and find out information about their community and supports they can access. We are currently looking for new members for our committee whose role is to set the strategic direction, oversee the management of the centre and build the capacity and potential of the centre.
If you have the desire, passion and commitment to make a difference in the community, then you may wish to consider nominating as a member of our committee. We are particularly interested in individuals with skills in: financial management, business management, HR & employment policies and procedures, governance, secretarial skills, knowledge about strategic planning, or knowledge about the local community and the needs and aspirations of the community. For more information about this positions please contact Bev Brown on 03 5275 7409. Annual Report also provides more information about the Centre.
Refugees
in our region come from a diversity of cultures and experiences. In
Geelong they mostly come from Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Liberia, Karen (Burma) & Afghanistan. What they have in common is
that they and their families have been forced to leave their homeland. Diversitat have developed a range of programs to help with settlement of refugees in our region, volunteers play a vital part in these programs.
Your
interest in our programs is valued and appreciated and we would love to have
you join our team of volunteers at the time of our next intake which will be
mid year, in May/June 2012.
If you
would like to be placed on a waiting list for our mid year intake (for programs below),
please send email to Volunteer Coordinator Anita Boras, listing your
contact
details, Anita
will then be in contact with you mid year when the next recruitment
drive
commences, email
GREAT Program
GREAT is a volunteer based homework support program aimed at assisting refugee school students with numeracy and literacy skill development. The Homework Club operates on two afternoons per week, during the school term:
Tuesdays from 3.15 pm to 4.30pm Thursdays from 3.15 pm to 4.30pm
The North Geelong Secondary College (NGSC) Homework Club provides free homework and English language support to refugee students. In addition, it works to enhance, promote and celebrate harmony, cultural diversity and social justice in our community.
GREAT also provides tutoring assistance to refugee children who are not students at North Geelong Secondary College, with tutoring being provided within the home.
New Arrival Support Program
The New Arrival Support Program assists refugees and migrants to settle into the Geelong area. The Program provides practical support to refugees by assisting them in attending their appointments and navigating their new environment (both at home and the local area).
Volunteers initially undertake a recruitment process, cross cultural awareness training and an induction session. Volunteers are then matched with a refugee or refugee family before commencing their volunteer work.
Skills to Empower - Driver Practice Program for Refugees (not currently taking on volunteers)
The
“Skills to Empower” Driving Practice Program is a TAC funded program run
by Diversitat. Diversitat have the support of Victoria Police, Vic
roads, Road Safe Barwon, and Handbrake turn. “Skills to Empower” is a
volunteer mentor support program aimed at assisting mature age refugees
with a learners permit to gain the driving experience they require to
pass the Probationary License test.
The Driving Practice program
aims to build on a refugee’s knowledge of Victorian road rules and
traffic regulations as well as providing them with support to access
driving lessons and driving practice, enabling the learner driver to
gain the recommended amount of safe driving experience. Diversitat provides a 5 star safety rated car to be used for
these supervised driving sessions. (Volunteers are not currently required for this program)
At the recent Volunteering Australia's National Conference on the Gold Coast in Queensland, a host of young people spoke about the amazing and inspiring organisations they have helped set up. Below is a snapshot of these programs supported by the Foundation For Young Australians.
Youth Tree An initiative developed to encourage and involve young people to volunteer for a cause they care about. Hello Sunday Morning Chris Raine (2011 Young Queenslander of the Year), decided to start up a movement to promote people across the world to break their relationship with alcohol. Mayibuye Dance Performance Group Mayibuye runs projects across Australia, South Africa and Cambodia using performing arts to facilitate educational opportunities for young people who are vulnerable to negative peer pressures and at risk behaviour. This organisation was set up and is run by some very inspiring young people. Check out the Waka Waka dance Group! Young People without Borders Young People Without Borders is a new rite of passage for young
Australians. A journey of discovery, culminating in a gap year overseas
where you will become a volunteer and experience life beyond your
borders, develop different perspectives, learn new skills, grow in
confidence and independence and make new friends from home and abroad. YGAP (Y-Generation Against Poverty) YGAP is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation aiming to create
tangible social change, both locally and abroad. Their primary purpose is
to empower communities disadvantaged by poverty to be self-sustainable.
To achieve this, YGAP aims to inspire volunteers through innovative and
creative fundraising projects. The OakTree Foundation The OakTree Foundation is Australia’s largest youth run organisation. They are a group of young people working together to end global poverty, dedicated to achieving incredible change to the world's most marginalised, oppressed and disadvataged.They are comprised of 350 volunteer
staff all under the age of 26.
Generally speaking if a person’s visa allows them to do paid work then they would automatically be able to volunteer. The only visas that need checking are those visas where paid work is not allowed. Refer to the links below for more information on specific visa categories. For more information on visitors from overseas wishing to volunteer it is best to refer to the Department of Immigration & Citizenship website. Some volunteer roles may require a Police Check and/or a Working with Children check.
Want to Volunteer
