A long list of local volunteering opportunities in Toowoomba
Here’s a long, growing list of ways to contribute to the community you live in.
Updated 6 April 2022
Photography: Morgan Smith
Volunteering has so many benefits. It’s good for your mental health, it boosts your resumé, you’ll empower others in your local community, you’ll make connections – and you’ll build a stronger, more tight knit city as a result.
If it’s hands-on experience you’re after, seeking out small local organisations is a great way to start because they tend to have smaller budgets. And while charities definitely need help, don’t just think of the household names – many schools, aged care facilities and events desperately need extra pairs of hands to keep the wheels turning as well. At the end of the day, go for something you’re passionate about and be firm with your commitment.
For specific opportunities, keep an eye out on Seek’s volunteer page, or Do Something’s website.
HELP RUN A SPECIFIC EVENT
So perhaps you can’t volunteer regularly, but you can set aside a day or two a year for a specific event. Well, there’s plenty to choose from!
The annual two day Lifeline Bookfest in March requires volunteers to load and unload thousands of books and run the registers. CreativeMornings is looking for a new host to run the monthly event series. The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation holds about a hundred events every year (no exaggeration), and requires a vast team of volunteers to help them meet their fundraising targets.
Keep an eye on our events calendar and contact the event organisers if a particular cause resonates with you.
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MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR A CHARITY
Of course charities need volunteers. Just remember that many of the larger charities have specific programs that require a certain, regular commitment; don’t assume that they’ll take whatever time you can give them.
The Toowoomba Hospice looks for help with food prep, gardening, maintenance, administration and more. Lifeline looks for help with truck driving, administration, running their op shops, providing emergency relief and more. The RSCPA looks for help with ambulance drivers, foster carers, gardening and maintenance, photographers, administration and more. Meals on Wheels looks for drivers and navigators, administrators, writers and more. Protea Place has volunteers that include chefs, hair dressers, art therapists and shop managers. The Red Cross is often looking for people to help run the shops. Sunrise Way Sunrise Way relies on its volunteers to support their residents in recovery, maintain the grounds and provide administration assistance. St John’s community visits are carried out by volunteers who set aside time to pay a friendly visit to a resident in an aged care home. You may just sit and have a chat, work on a hobby together, or take a walk or potter in the garden.
And remember that charities always need cold hard cash too! Please consider making a donation if you can.
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HELPING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
There’s plenty of community groups that serve all sorts of specific interests, and help you build your skills or expertise in a specific area.
The Kath Dickson Family Centre looks for volunteers to run playgroups, do some maintenance around the centre, or run the community toy library. Get outdoors and become a Scout leader or Girl Guides leader – or help keep your local gardens in top notch condition. Council is often looking for volunteers in the local art galleries, information centres and libraries. The Repair Café needs volunteers to help with projects. The Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) is available to assist their communities 24/7 in times of emergency and disaster, such as the recent bushfires. Base Services runs a weekday soup kitchen, and Tony’s Community Kitchen runs every night, 365 days a year.
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BEcome AN USHER AT THE EMPIRE THEATRE
The Empire Theatre is regularly looking for backstage and production volunteers, as well as ushers, stage door attendants and more. If you’re a lover of the arts, volunteering as an usher not only means supporting the local creative community, but it also means being able to see all of the shows!
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try TUTORING & MENTORING
Local schools are often looking for people to help students with reading or maths skills. Contact your local school directly.
TAFE is always looking for volunteer tutors for their Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program. No experience necessary, and you’ll receive free training.
TRAMS (Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support) provides our local refugees and migrants assistance to become self-reliant and participate equitably in our community. Volunteers teach adult English classes, care for young children while their parents attend English classes, and assist school students with homework and assignments.
St Vincents’ Clemente is a fee-free, university accredited program to empower people who are marginalised, disadvantaged or isolated. Volunteer Learning Partners provide academic mentoring role to Clemente students.
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JOIN A COMMITTEE OR BECOME A MEMBER
The Regional Access & Disability Advisory Committee provides the community with a clear avenue into Council on access and disability issues and provides Council with guidance and assistance on the functions and responsibilities listed below. The Regional Active and Public Transport Advisory Committee represents the interests of people with active and public transport issues to Council and the broader community. There are Local Australia Day Committees throughout the greater council area.
The Lions Club is an international non-political service organisation, and is the largest of its kind in Australia. They assist with local community fundraising for special causes and help build local parks, community venues, and sporting centres. They were also involved in the development of the bionic ear and the cervical cancer vaccine! Membership is open to all.
Rotary, Roteract (Rotary’s branch for young people) and Zonta Clubs are about developing business networking opportunities while paying it forward to the community. All are membership organisations run by local committees.
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Did we miss you? Please let us know so we can add your organisation to our list!
