Premier Dominic Perrottet looks to boost volunteer numbers with grants, awards scheme

Premier Dominic Perrottet believes more people need to roll up their sleeves and volunteer, and the State government is working on a range of initiatives to drive greater participation.

Premier Dominic Perrottet believes more people need to roll up their sleeves and volunteer.

And in an effort to get more people involved in the community, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal work is under way within the State government on a range of initiatives to drive greater participation.

Among the measures being considered as part of the push include a new grants program focused on helping to attract more volunteers into community organisations, a new awards scheme or NSW-specific day of recognition along with a communications campaign in conjunction with community organisations.

The final package is expected to be finalised within the coming weeks.

The push comes amid a decline in volunteer numbers over the past decade – a trend that may continue with people suffering burnout after floods, fires, more floods and a pandemic.

However, the premier – who was inspired by the volunteer effort he witnessed during the flood events at Lismore and Eugowra – said people giving their time simply made NSW a better place to live.

“Our volunteers have played an enormous role in getting the people of NSW through some of our darkest times,” Mr Perrottet said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Emergency Services Minister Stef Cooke meet SES volunteers during a visit to the control centre managing the latest floods in Moree. Picture: John Grainger

“There is no doubt that our volunteers have brought hope to these communities. On every soccer field, every patrolled beach, in our canteens and across our parklands there are people giving their time, not for personal gain, but to make NSW a better place to live.

“But I think it’s important we look ahead and see what more we can do to get even more people across NSW rolling up their sleeves and volunteering.”

Among the volunteering efforts of the premier, himself, include taking part in the St Vincent de Paul Society “night patrols” as a university student, a basketball coach, as well in more recent years helping organisations involved in taking students on trips to Kokoda and the Northern Territory.

Australian Bureau of Statistics General Social Survey data compiled by the Scanlon Foundation showing participation rates had dropped from 36.2 per cent in 2010 to 28.8 per cent in 2019.

In 2014, volunteers across Australia contributed 743.3 million hours to the community compared with 596.2 million hours in 2019, a fall of 20 per cent.

In NSW, about 4.9 million people are volunteering in emergency services, neighbourhood, sporting, education, cultural and religious organisations.

The premier’s push to bolster volunteer numbers comes ahead of an International Volunteer Day event at the Sydney Opera House, which will also include a set of awards dedicated to community service.

“This week, we are shining the light on the contribution, sacrifice and service our volunteers make,” Mr Perrottet said.

“In the coming weeks, we will be announcing new initiatives to encourage more people to lend a hand in a volunteer organisation.”

Among the biggest volunteer organisations include the NSW Rural Fire Service with more than 75,000 participants and Surf Life Saving (SLS) NSW, which has a membership of similar size.

Volunteer surf rescue lifesaversat Coogee (from left), Cosima Clements, Calum Reiter and Cate Kyling. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Cate Kyling, 18, has been volunteering at the Coogee SLS for more than a decade, spending up to six hours patrolling the beach with her crew most Saturdays.

The vice-captain, who described the club as being like a “second family”, said she couldn’t imagine not spending her weekends on the beach.

“Today has been really busy with the weather – there’s also been about 10 bluebottle stings,” she said.

“As vice-captain, I usually stay on the beach and help co-ordinate things, but I have also helped with rescues.

“The club is a part of my life. They are like my second family.”

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