Celebrating our volunteers during Volunteer Week 2022
Published on 16 May 2022
National Volunteer Week is on 16 - 22 May 2022 and is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and recognise the dedication of our Woollahra Council volunteers and to say thank you.
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2022 is Better Together. Volunteering brings people together; it builds communities and creates a better society for everyone. Volunteering is a great way to connect with our local community and make a real difference.
Woollahra Council is lucky to have more than 160 volunteers who help our community in various ways such as in our libraries, the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, at our Bushcare regeneration sites and through our HarbourCare program.
Find out more about some of our volunteers and local volunteering opportunities below.
Library Volunteers
Woollahra Libraries would not be the same without our volunteer program, and we can't thank them enough!
Margot Harris, Woollahra Library Double Bay Volunteer
"I just completed my gold Duke of Edinburgh, which has a community service component. I'd heard from a friend of my sister who had volunteered at Woollahra library for many years that she really enjoyed it, so I was keen to try library volunteering."
"For me, it was the perfect role because I’m quite bookish, so volunteering at the library let me explore my nerdy side and enjoy the beautiful library environment whilst also giving back to a service and community that I’ve enjoyed for many years."
"For others who are thinking about doing it, I’d say definitely give it a go! It's so fun and rewarding; you get to meet tons of other teenagers and it gives you a really good feeling of giving back."
Woollahra Library Volunteer Margot Harris
Volunteer at Woollahra Libraries
There are a number of volunteer opportunities at Woollahra Libraries. This includes volunteering to assist in our events and programs, home library service, maintaining local history records, general library services, IT support and more.
If you love libraries, people or events and are looking for work experience, or simply wish to give back to the community, then we’d like to hear from you!
View the Position Description Booklet(PDF, 168KB).
To register your interest, please complete and return the Application Form(PDF, 238KB).
For more information please read our Volunteer Policy(PDF, 473KB) or contact the Library Volunteer Coordinator on 9391 7938.
Bushcare Volunteers
Bushcare is a community-based program in which volunteers help regenerate and preserve Woollahra's bushland, with the assistance and support of Council staff. Through the Bushcare program we work to protect local biodiversity, natural ecosystems and preserve the habitat of native flora and fauna.
Bushcare provides an opportunity for the community to learn about our local environment and to get involved in managing and maintaining our native bushland.
Nicole McMahon, Bushcare Volunteer
"I started Bushcare in 2017! Even 5 years later it’s still the highlight of my week; spending time in our local bushland. I love spending time in nature - the beautiful sense of peace and connection this experience offers. The Bushcare team and the volunteers’ knowledge and kindness is so treasured - I feel blessed to have come across this community of people. If you’re thinking about joining, I’d say go for it. I was greeted by enthusiastic and supportive people.
"I like that there are different group options over the week and flexible times. It breaks up the day and helps with getting out from behind the screen for an hour or two. "
Bushcare volunteer, Nicole McMahon
Read interviews with other local Bushcare volunteers Rob Hitchen and Jo Bridge.
Become a bushcare volunteer
Anyone over the age of 15 is invited to become a Bushcare volunteer. Our Bushcare volunteers include local residents, retirees, businesses, community groups, school groups and tertiary students. All you need is an interest in protecting the local environment and a few spare hours a week, fortnight or month.
Apply now to join the Bushcare Volunteer team(PDF, 1MB).
Gallery Volunteers
The team at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf are always on the lookout for passionate volunteers from the community to assist with welcoming visitors to our arts destination. Volunteers will be invited to share the stories of the artworks on display and act as ambassadors for the gallery and its programs.
No previous gallery experience is required, just a love of art and culture and a willingness to be part of the rich and diverse history of creativity in the local area.
Anna Waldmann, Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf Volunteer
"I was very excited to be accepted as a volunteer. All my life I’ve worked professionally in art institutions so the opportunity to work in this extraordinary new gallery made it irresistible."
"I chose to volunteer because at some point you have to give back to the community. If what you know best is the arts, this is where you try to make an impact."
"I’ve lived all my life in the municipality of Woollahra, in Paddington and now in Double Bay, and there are lots of places one can volunteer, but I couldn’t think of a better place than this new gallery."
"If you’re thinking about volunteering, why not give it a try. There are only positives, it’s only rewarding, there’s nothing negative about it."
Become a gallery volunteer
Volunteers will undertake a thorough training program and will have regular opportunities to attend exhibition walkthroughs and hear directly from exhibiting artists and curators.
If you are interested in a volunteer position at the Gallery please complete the Volunteer Form(PDF, 238KB).
Community volunteers
There are a number of local volunteering opportunities outside of Council where you can help support others. This includes volunteering at Holdsworth Centre, Our Big Kitchen and more.
Mark Francis, Volunteer at Holdsworth Centre
"I’ve been volunteering at Holdsworth for about 15 years now. I had a graphic design business and got a brain tumor, and after I recovered I decided I didn’t really want to do that anymore. I was OK financially so volunteering seemed like the obvious choice.
"A friend of mine’s girlfriend worked at Holdsworth and he told me about it. I started working doing bus outings with the elderly and people with dementia, but with Covid now we don’t do bus outings. For the past two years we’ve been meeting at a community centre. I help set up the hall with tables and chairs, then we sit down and do a few hours of puzzles, having a chat and doing some trivia, along with a cup of tea and a biscuit of course. Then we sit down and do about 45 minutes of seated exercises.
"I really enjoy their company. They’ve always got some great stories, and they appreciate being there and being around. I think volunteering is a great thing to do. If you can do it, and you can spare the time, it’s great. Without it I’d be going bonkers!"
Holdsworth volunteer Mark Francis
Find out more about local volunteering opportunities outside of Council.
Interested in volunteering for Woollahra Council?
Council welcomes applications for new volunteers for future activities. Complete the Volunteer Application Form(PDF, 238KB) to register your interest. Once we receive your form, we will contact you.
For further information on volunteering, please read our Volunteer Policy(PDF, 473KB) or email jobs@woollahra.nsw.gov.au