Volunteering

Back to Steiglitz began in 1951 to commemorate 100 years since gold was discovered in the area.

There was a committee formed when Steiglitz was declared as a National Park in 1977 to work in conjunction with Parks Victoria to restore and maintain the historic buildings. An annual Back to Steiglitz Day was held each year for a gathering of family ancestors to meet and share stories, memories and gather or research historic records. This was also a day for the group to raise funds to put back into building restorations. 

There was a special committee formed to celebrate 150 years in 2001 to hold a festival highlighting the historic and heritage activities of a gold mining town. These festivals continued until 2016 when volunteer numbers dwindled. There was also a quilt festival that ran biannually until 2017. 

In more recent times, activities have been scaled down with smaller reunion gatherings and volunteers keeping the courthouse open on the second and fourth Sunday of each month or by arrangement for groups.

The group enjoys helping people trace and find information on their family history, which is always satisfying. Many people will share photos and family documents. The group often receives donations of family relics or historical paintings of the buildings.

Inverleigh Bowls Club is fortunate to have a number of volunteers who manage the greens with regular maintenance, garden care, managing the bar, catering and general cleaning. There's also a social coordinator who manages get togethers fort club members outside bowls.

The group manages the running of the small community sporting club on a daily basis and bowlers represent the Inverleigh community in the Geelong Bowls Region competition. They are proud to create a happy, friendly and welcoming environment for all to come and enjoy lawn bowls and social events.

Inverleigh Bowls Club is a great place to volunteer, where volunteering for even a few hours here and there can make a big difference.

Friends of the Woady Landcare are working to restore a section of the Woady Yaloak River between the Snake Valley Road and Whites Road in Smythesdale. The Woady, like all other waterways in the goldfields, were extensively mined for gold reducing them to muddy gravel pits where introduced weeds such as gorse, hawthorn and blackberry thrived. Across Ballarat, groups like theirs are working hard to restore these waterways to their former glory.

Friends of the Woady Landcare has around eight active members with a large mailing list and followers on their Facebook page. The group has a small committee which meets every month to plan working bees and other activities.

The group works hard to actively recruit new members, and while volunteering can provide challenges, the rewards of working with the Friends of the Woady Landcare are worth every minute.

Linton & District Men's Shed Inc. has 30 members including eight committee members who all enjoy the social aspect of the Shed and helping each other learn new skills and complete projects.

The Shed is open three days a week and there's also special event days. Most of the tools and furniture has been donated by community members and local businesses, and the Shed provides a space for like-minded men to come together for a chat, build social connections and relax. Communication and support is a big part of being a member, and the group has many examples of helping men through difficult times.

Smythesdale Cemetery Trust comprises of 11 members which act as standard office bearers like Chairperson and Deputy, Secretary and Assistant, and Treasurer. The group meets four times a year and holds several working bees.

All small cemeteries in Victoria are run by a Volunteers Trust. Trust Members apply to join, there is an interview process and then members are appointed by Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Department of Health. The Trust Secretary is responsible for the management for funerals and the Trust is required to maintain the cemetery in good order.

The Trust still has the original burial register. Handling a book that is over 160 years old with so much history is both a thrill and a responsibility.

Bannockburn Tennis Club has a long and proud history and has always relied on volunteers to make things happen. The Club has parents who volunteer their time to manage junior teams while club members/parents attend committee meetings and host working bees.

Club members love working together to provide an environment for everyone (members, families and the winder community) to feel welcome, have fun, be active and feel safe. They provide opportunities for adults and children to play in local tennis competitions in Winter and Summer, with social tennis for juniors and seniors on Wednesdays.

The club is proud of its volunteers and is always happy to help others met great people who play tennis.

The Linton and District Bowls Club was formed in 1968 and has more than 50 members. All members contribute to the club through volunteer roles at some stage throughout each year.

There's a 12-member committee who help coordinate activities including: running competitions, maintaining the green and club rooms, maintaining the garden and surrounds, supplying and preparing food from the kitchen and running the bar. The venue is also available for events on non bowling days.

Most of the club's volunteers are over 70 years old, but that doesn't stop them taking on major tasks like maintaining the large garden surrounding the green. Linton and District Bowls Club is a true community club which thrives due to the work of volunteers.

The Meredith History Interest Group (MHIG) started in 2018 and has about 100 members with a committee of eight people. The group runs the Meredith History Centre which is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

MHIG collects history, catalogues that history and stores it. They try in many ways to share history or bring it to the attention of the public by organising events and displays. The group helps people with their research, does its own research and writes books and leaflets.

As a group in the centre of Meredith, they try to make the History Centre a welcoming place which also helps to create a sense of community and looks after people’s wellbeing.

Kenzie is a youth volunteer photographer for the Volunteers in Action Program.

Kenzie enjoyed being part of this project and meeting new people. She also enjoyed using her new camera and enhancing her photography skills. Kenzie also volunteers with the Youth Activation Committee - a leadership group dedicated to advocating on behalf of all Golden Plains young people. 

Volunteering has given Kenzie opportunities to connect with many people from all corners of Golden Plains Shire, and has broadened her perspective on the world. Kenzie says anyone thinking about volunteering should take the leap and go for it!

Declan is an active volunteer who is part of the Golden Plains Youth Activation Committee, where they advocate for issues in the Shire, on behalf of young people. 

Declan has enjoyed being able to talk to volunteers and people who are passionate about what they do. He believes that volunteers are vital to sustaining the community spirit that is in each and every town in Golden Plains Shire. 

Volunteering has helped Declan develop his leadership, teamwork and networking skills and he has also been able to develop his photography skills through the Volunteers in Action Program

Declan says joining and volunteering with community groups is one of the most rewarding things that you can do.