Volunteers
Council has a very active volunteer program that operates across a variety of different program areas, attracting over 100 volunteers to assist Council with its community programs and services.
Council values the significant contribution made by community members who volunteer their time to support these diverse services. Without our volunteers Council would be unable to offer the quality and depth of programming and services provided to the community.
Volunteers significantly enhance the quality of life, community spirit and leisure time opportunities in the region and volunteering promotes enduring social, cultural, environmental and economic value to Council and the community.
The 2013 Volunteer Training Program offers a variety of development opportunities for volunteers. Whether you're from a community group, sports club or committee of management, these training sessions are designed to further develop your skills and provide support in your role.
Council has a range of volunteering opportunities including: 
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering has a meaningful and positive impact on your local community. Studies report that engaging in regular volunteer work increases life expectancy because social interaction improves 'quality of life'.
Volunteering offers many other benefits as well, including:
- Opportunity to learn or develop new skills;
- Be part of your local community - What better way is there to connect with your community and give a little back than volunteering?
- Increase motivation and sense of achievement;
- Boost your career options- If you are thinking of a career change then volunteering is a perfect way to explore new fields.
- Create new interests and hobbies - Volunteering can give that escape to everyday routine and create a balance in our lives. Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and energizing.
- Meeting a diverse range of people - Volunteering also offers an incredible networking opportunity and both the recipients of your volunteer efforts and your co-workers can be a rich source of inspiration and an excellent way to develop your interpersonal skills.
Send a message to your employer, teachers, friends and family - People pay attention to your life outside the environment in which they have direct contact with you.
Volunteering reflects and supports a complete picture of you, and gives real examples of your commitment, dedication and interests. Show people what you are passionate about and maybe you will inspire them too!
Sport and Recreation
The Golden Plains Shire Council resources a Sport and Recreation Unit to plan and advocate for, develop and support, and build and maintain services, programs and facilities for sport and recreation to serve the needs of residents, workers and visitors to the Shire.
Council values the role that recreation can play in developing a sense of community and improving the physical, mental and social health and well-being of those who participate.
There is a range of opportunities for people from informal recreational activity to playing organised, competitive sport. The range of recreational opportunities in the Shire is a result of strong partnerships between Council, local communities, community organisations and other levels of Government.
What are the Volunteering Opportunities in Recreation through Council?
Council delegates its responsibilities for management of a number of recreation facilities to a special committee known as a Section 86 Committee of Management (CoM) who operate under an Instrument of Delegation.
The objective of each CoM is to control and manage a reserve and to act as a planning, promotion and management body for the development of a reserve.
To achieve this objective, the CoM is required to:
- Develop policies for management and operation;
- Encourage public interest and maximise involvement and participation of the community;
- Act as an advisory and liaison body;
- Engender a wide range of community, cultural and entertainment programs to give residents a choice of leisure activities; and,
- Provide for effective financial control.
What is the Commitment?
Committees are made up of representatives from each user group and up to five community members. Committees meet at least four times a year with meetings usually lasting 1 - 1.5 hours.
Depending on the Committee there may be a monthly working bee or fundraiser in place for you to attend if you wish.
Executive positions on the Committee include President, Secretary and Treasurer, with Council strongly encouraging people regardless of experience to take on an executive position as there are many resources and much support available from fellow committee members and Council to assist you in your new role.
How do I get Involved?
Contact the Shire's Community Recreation Officer on 5220 7111 and we will be able to put you in touch with a number of COM's in your local area.
All COM meetings are open to the public and you will be welcome to attend as a guest observer to get a feel if it is the right volunteering opportunity for you.
User group representatives at the meeting will also be able to update you on volunteering opportunities with their clubs, whether it be football, cricket, tennis, golf or equestrian.
Volunteering Positions Vacant
The Shire currently has the following 'Committee of Management' volunteer vacancies available:
Secretary Linton Recreation Reserve Committee of Management
Secretary Ross Creek Recreation Reserve Committee of Management
The Secretary role is responsible for the governance and administration of the Committee. You do not require a specific skill set to carry out the position as the Shire is able to support and provide you with the necessary training and resources to carry out the position regardless of experience.
Volunteering has a meaningful and positive impact on your local community. Studies report that engaging in regular volunteer work increases life expectancy because social interaction improves 'quality of life', however volunteering offers many other benefits as well, including:
- Opportunity to learn or develop new skills
- Be part of your local community
- Increased motivation and sense of achievement
- Boost your career options
- Create new interests and hobbies.
- Meeting a diverse range of people
-
Send a message to your employer, teachers, friends and family
For more information on volunteering opportunities in the Shire or for a copy of a position description please contact Michael Hynes, Community Recreation Officer 5220 7182 or email mhynes@gplains.vic.gov.au.
Aged and Disability Services
Council provides a range of services and activities to assist older people, people with a disability and their carers, to stay in their homes longer and enhance their quality of life.
What are the Volunteering Opportunities in Aged and Disability?
Planned Activity Group Programs
These programs provide planned activities directed at enhancing skills required for daily living and social connections / interaction (Friendships)
General mixed groups are based at Bannockburn, Haddon, Rokewood, Lethbridge. Also, two men's specific groups at Bannockburn and Rokewood.
Examples of general duties include:
- Assisting with meal preparation and serving
- Assisting with and participating in activities
- Assist with transportation of clients to / from PAG programs
- Providing general supporting clients
-
Interact and chat with clients
Golden Connections Community Transport (GCT)
Provide safe and supported transportation of elderly / frail aged, older persons and people with a disability to attend to doctor / specialist appointments, shopping and bill paying.
Meals on Wheels
Delivering meals once per week to HACC eligible clients.
What is the Commitment?
Varies based on the availability of the volunteer. Council will work together with you to arrange suitable involvement.
Generally, volunteers maintain a regular involvement with one or more PAG groups and GCT volunteers participate on a rostered system for regular clients transports and respond to occasional requests for transport.
How do I get Involved?
Contact Noel Brebner (Social Support Coordination Officer) 52207130.
Children's Services
Council is the major provider of early childhood services in Golden Plains Shire. Council delivers kindergarten, long day care, family day care, occasional care and maternal & child health services. Council manages the Bannockburn Family Services Centre and delivers a range of programs for children and their families in Golden Plains Shire.
What are the Volunteering Opportunities in Children's Services?
Volunteer involvement is welcome in all of Council's children's services. Two key areas of volunteer activity are kindergarten committees and playgroups.
Council operates kindergartens in partnership with volunteer kindergarten committees. While Council is the licensee and employer for the kindergarten, some other aspects of the operation of the kindergarten are undertaken by the volunteer committee.
Playgroup is for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and their parents or caregivers. Playgroups are informal, low cost and run by the parents and caregivers in them. Adults stay with their children at playgroup. This gives them the chance to meet other people going through similar experiences and ease the isolation that can come with caring for young children. Families can be gently introduced to community, health and support services while they are at playgroup.
Playgroup can be a lifeline to parents with babies, toddlers and preschoolers who might not have any other opportunity to get to know local parents going through similar experiences.
What is the commitment?
Kindergarten committees meet every month and there are a range of roles for committee members, including president, secretary, treasurer and fundraising.
Playgroups typically meet every week for approximately two hours.
How do I get involved?
Contact Matthew Dawson, Team Leader - Child & Family Services on 5220 7175.
Community Development
Community Planning is a process by which governments, community groups and citizens work together to strengthen and advance the overall wellbeing of communities of interest.
Community planning enables residents to determine priorities for their own future and then implement these priorities with Council support. Communities are invited to come together every two years to review their community plan and the committed volunteers, called Community Coordinators, manage and implement this plan.
Whilst communities of interest will often form on the basis of geography, they will also form around other common interests or characteristics including demographics (e.g., young people and seniors), disability, arts, culture, recreation and schools.
What are the Volunteering Opportunities in Community Planning?
Community Coordinators manage the community plan with the support of a council appointed facilitator to achieve the priorities determined by each community.
Community Coordinators' and their roles and responsibilities include; Attend Community Coordinators meetings approximately 8 times per year to plan and implement community plan priorities.
Community coordinators take a lead role in the community understanding community needs.
What is the Commitment?
Community coordinators meet approximately 8 times per year and meetings generally last 1 hour.
Every two years, each community reviews their community plan. Community coordinators speak to various groups and individuals to discuss how the review may take place and encourage broad participation. Community coordinators also take a lead role in establishing a project team to work on a particular priority.
How do I get Involved?
Contact the Community Development Team Leader, Damian Waight on 5220 7159.
Health and Wellbeing
In responding the lack of service provision and coordination of health services in Golden Plains during 2004 the shire, in partnership with key external agencies developed the Golden Plains Health and Wellbeing Program .
The program aims to initiate and integrate planning and service delivery of health and community services with the key objective of enabling residents and local communities to improve overall health and wellbeing.
In order to achieve the program objective the Shire and the key partners have a commitment to work together to:
- Promote wellbeing and prevent and/or decrease future ill-health among residents and communities
- Plan and develop health promotion strategies that are informed by and responsive to community needs, issues and opportunities
- Improve local services for managing health amongst the Shire's residents.
The program is divided into three Key Areas covering, community support, Health promotion/allied health services and strategic planning.
What are the Volunteering Opportunities in Health and Wellbeing?
The Health and Wellbeing Team Deliver a Community Meal each month at the Northern Community Centre in Haddon. The two course nutritious meal is prepared by a cook and supported by a team of volunteers who assist in food preparation, setting up the room, serving meals and the clean up. Each volunteer also receives a free meal as a thank you for the support of the meal. Between 30 to 40 local residents attend the meal each month.
What is the commitment?
The meal takes place on the third Thursday of each month and requires approximate 5 hours on that day from the volunteers.
How do I get Involved?
Contact Jaclyn Reriti, Health and Wellbeing Team Leader on 5220 7188 or email jreriti@gplains.vic.gov.au
