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Our Volunteers

Volunteers play an important part in our region’s culture, while helping develop skills, strengthens networks and provides a sense of belonging and connection. Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, Council was able to deliver exceptional events and programs at community events, Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens, Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, Gladstone Regional Libraries and the Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct. Council is grateful to everyone who contributed their valuable time and skills across many different areas of the organisation. With their help, we continue to deliver exciting programs and events to the Gladstone Region community. These overviews provide insight into how our volunteers are involved in delivering for our community.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

With a schedule filled with massive events throughout the year, we rely on the help of volunteers to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our community when attending community events. In 2022 we introduced the GRC Community Events ‘Vollie Squad’ - a rewards program designed to thank the volunteers who work consistently with our Community Events Team. In 2021/22, our volunteers contributed 344.5 hours, across four events. 47 amazing volunteers are currently a part of the program.

GLADSTONE ENTERTAINMENT CONVENTION CENTRE

GECC’s Friends of the Theatre (FOTT), an incorporated association, has been supporting the GECC by way of ushering, greeting, merchandise selling, raffle tickets and many other functions for many years. FOTT work closely with the GECC team and are an invaluable resource to the venue. For our visitors and guests, they are the friendly faces greeting our patrons at theatre shows, conferences and events. Friends of the Theatre volunteered 2460 hours in the 2021/22 financial year and currently have around 50 active members.

GLADSTONE REGIONAL LIBRARIES

As we move away from distancing restrictions in community spaces, Gladstone Regional Libraries welcomed back our volunteers with increased numbers and hours. Volunteers contributed a combined 4500 hours in 2021/22, with a majority of those volunteers found at Gladstone City Library. The volunteer organised Book Sale in August 2021 was a success with the volunteers raising $1514.10 with proceeds going toward the purchase of Cricut machine accessories. Our volunteers assisted with many tasks including shelving, organising donated stock for the Book Sales, working within the Library spaces to create craft resources and tending to the community garden.

GLADSTONE REGIONAL ART GALLERY & MUSEUM

It was a pleasure to re-launch the GRAGM Volunteer program, welcoming new and existing volunteers to the Gallery and Museum. Our volunteers are the heart of our facility, providing immeasurable knowledge, support and passion. A total of 802 volunteer hours were recorded in 2021/22 and our volunteer army increased active volunteers to 37. GRAGM redesigned two of their roles as Visitor and Volunteer Engagement Officers who are responsible for the recruitment, training, engagement and support to our wonderful volunteers. With the introduction of these roles, we also introduced volunteer inductions, recognition events, recruitment drives and training packs and we look forward to continuing the growth of the GRAGM volunteer program.

TONDOON BOTANIC GARDENS

Tondoon’s various volunteer groups were busy with activities over 2021/22 financial year. The Herbarium volunteers played an integral part in Council’s inhouse Tondoon mapping project which, thanks to their help, is near completion. They were also responsible for classifying 10,000 individual plants in the TBG Living Collection Database and Herbarium Database.

The Conservation volunteers planted more than 3660 plants at revegetation projects across nine sites in the Gladstone Region while the Friends of Bonsai volunteers created beautiful displays for Parks Week, Ecofest and the Gladstone Multicultural Festival.

Beyond being friendly faces at events, the Visitor Services volunteers also assisted with educational school visits to the gardens, school holiday program delivery and lead Seniors Month tours.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WEEK

Community volunteers from across the Gladstone Region were recognised for their contributions during a series of Volunteer recognition celebrations held across the region during National Volunteers Week held from 16-22 May 2022. Community members and organisations were invited to nominate volunteers who they would like to see recognised for their commitment to their community. All nominees were invited to a celebration event that provided the opportunity for connection and celebration of the valuable contribution made by volunteers from across the region.

PHILIP STREET COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES PRECINCT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Philip Street Communities and Families Precinct Advisory Committee is a dedicated formal advisory group that help with the operation and management of the precinct. The committee, representing different sectors in our community, offered feedback and advice to Council on strategic planning, management, and service delivery to ensure services, programs and activities are responsive to the community’s needs. By bringing different perspectives and ideas to the table, the advisory group ensures that the precinct continues to deliver for our community, enable access to resources and services.

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