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Volunteering
Volunteers play a vital role in contributing to the City of Canada Bay community. Each year, unpaid volunteers donate their free time, skills and enthusiasm to support local events, activities and programs that assist or improve the lives of others. By volunteering locally, you will have an opportunity to support your community, meet other local community members and learn new skills.
The City of Canada Bay is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We're committed to removing barriers and encouraging people with disability to volunteer. The City of Canada Bay is also a Child Safe organisation that recognises and advocates for the rights of children and young people.
Ready to Volunteer?
If you are ready to consider volunteering, below is some information to assist you with the process.
How to start
Look through the volunteering opportunities listed on Council’s website or visit Seek Volunteer or NSW Volunteering.
What to expect
Once you have decided to volunteer, the following steps are taken with most volunteer roles.
- Complete paperwork. Most volunteer positions require you to complete some paperwork prior to commencing. This is often to ensure that you are covered by insurance and that you have all the information required for your volunteer role.
- Attend a meeting/interview. You will usually be required to attend an initial meeting or interview for a volunteer role. This will give you an opportunity to meet the volunteer coordinator and find out more about the volunteering role.
- Complete background checks. Many roles require volunteers to complete a Working With Children Check and/or National Police Check prior to volunteering.
- Complete an induction. An induction will make sure that you have all the information and training you require to commence your volunteer role.
- Ongoing support.
- Recognition. Thanking volunteers for their extraordinary efforts is an important consideration for most organisations. Council holds an annual Volunteers Morning Tea to thank local volunteers for their time and dedication.
Volunteer With Council
The City of Canada Bay has a range of volunteering opportunities available:
BUSHCARE
Bushcare is a volunteering program that enables community members to participate in the restoration, enhancement and maintenance of natural areas within the City of Canada Bay. These activities may be suitable for the Service (Volunteering) Section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
To find out more, please visit the Bushcare page or to discuss these opportunities with Council's Bushcare Team Leader, please phone 9911 6555 or email council@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Concord and Five Dock libraries can support Bronze and Silver level students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. Tasks given will satisfy the requirements for Service (Volunteering) section of the award.
To apply to volunteer at the libraries as a Duke of Edinburgh student, click here. To discuss these opportunities, call Concord Library (9911 6210), Five Dock Library (9911 6310) or email library@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.
CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Our Children's Services also have volunteering opportunities for Duke of Edinburgh Award participants. Contact them at:
- Wellbank Children's Centre, Concord: 9911 6250 / wellbank@canadabay.nsw.gov.au
- Victoria Avenue Children's Centre, Concord West: 9911 6230 / victoria.avenue@canadabay.nsw.gov.au
LOVE YOUR PLACE
The Love Your Place program is a free community partnership with the City of Canada Bay and the local community. The program encourages community groups, residents, local businesses and schools to get involved in the preservation and enhancement of our many great parks, open spaces, streets, foreshore and playgrounds. Bring your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues together to increase pride and cleanliness in your neighbourhood. City of Canada Bay will provide the materials and support needed to complete your clean-up activities. Learn more or sign up on our dedicated webpage.
SENIORS BUS TRIPS
We welcome volunteers who can provide assistance with our Seniors Bus Trips. The City of Canada Bay runs Bay Connection bus outings for seniors who want to get out and about exploring the Sydney metropolitan area. Bay Connection bus trips are designed for people who live in the City of Canada Bay local government area and are over 55 years of age, prefer to walk short distances, and do require some assistance getting on and off the bus — we also pick up the participants from their residence.
The trips operate on Tuesdays and Fridays. To discuss volunteering opportunities please contact the Community Development Team on 9911 6555 or email ccbcbustrips@canadabay.nsw.gov.au.
Where else to Volunteer in City of Canada Bay
Council programs
| Program | Position(s) available | Level of commitment | Contact details |
| Seniors Bus Trips | Volunteer assistant | If you are interested in volunteering on Seniors Bus Trips, please contact the Community Services Team. Days required: Tuesday or Friday | Community Services Team on 9911 6587 |
| Bushcare Volunteer Program | Bushcare volunteer | Flexible | Council's Bushcare Team Leader on 9911 6555 or visit our Bushcare page. |
| Love Your Place program | Volunteer | Flexible (more information) | Sustainability Projects Officer on 9911 6555 |
Community organisations
| Program | Position(s) available | Level of commitment | Contact details |
| The Burdekin Association | Youth support including: • Driver supervision • Mentoring • Social support | Varies | The Burdekin Association |
| CABL - Community Action for Better Living | Meals on Wheels drivers and runners | Weekly or fortnightly | CABL |
| Community Circles Australia | 2-Hour Club | 2 hours per month | Community Circles Australia |
| Community Circles Australia | Community Circles Facilitator | Varies | Community Circles Australia |
| Concord Heritage Society Inc. | Museum roster | Every Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-4pm | Sally Robertson Phone: 9744 8528 heritage@canadabayheritage.asn.au |
| Concord Heritage Society Inc. | Tour guides for Yaralla and Rivendell | 3 days per year | Sally Robertson Phone: 9744 8528 heritage@canadabayheritage.asn.au |
| Concord Heritage Society Inc. | People with skills in marketing, grant writing, people skills and administration etc. | Casual | Sally Robertson Phone: 9744 8528 heritage@canadabayheritage.asn.au |
| Concord Rotary Farmers Market | Volunteers to help set up or pack down the Rotary's market stalls. | Twice monthly - flexible/casual volunteers welcome Set up from 6-8am or pack down 12-1pm | concordfarmersmarket@gmail.com |
| Inner West Meals on Wheels | Volunteer runners and drivers | Weekly - Fortnightly | mow@cabl.org.au Inner West Meals on Wheels Phone: 02 9747 1135 |
| Drummoyne Community Centre Inc. | Office assistants | Half day per week | Volunteer Coordinator on 9719 8102 |
| Drummoyne Community Centre Inc. | Driver with own car | Flexible - half a day per week or fortnight | Volunteer Coordinator on 9719 8102 |
| Drummoyne Community Centre Inc. | Mini bus driver | Flexible - half a day per week or fortnight | Volunteer Coordinator on 9719 8102 |
| Drummoyne Community Centre Inc. | Bus assistant | Flexible - 1-2 hours per week or fortnight | Volunteer Coordinator on 9719 8102 |
| Drummoyne Community Centre Inc. | Admin Assistant | Half day per week | Volunteer Coordinator on 9719 8102 |
| Drummoyne Community Centre Inc. | Committee members | 2 hours per month | Volunteer Coordinator on 9719 8102 |
| Drummoyne Scout Group | Adult volunteers | Varies | Drummoyne Scout Group |
| Inner West Neighbour Aid (IWNA) | Home Visiting Volunteering | 1-2 hours per week or fortnight | Complete the intake form For enquiries call: 9799 5099 |
| Inner West Neighbour Aid (IWNA) | Group Social Programs | 5 hours per week or fortnight | Complete the intake form For enquiries call: 9799 5099 |
| Inner West Neighbour Aid (IWNA) | Volunteer Gardeners | 3 hours per week or fortnight | Complete the intake form For enquiries call: 9799 5099 |
| Sir Roden and Lady Cutler Foundation | Volunteer drivers | Varies | Foundation 8765 8661 |
| Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway | Volunteer Guides | Varies | Walkway 9166 0890 |
| Gig Buddies | Volunteers to join social groups for people with autism and/or learning disabilities. | Varies | Gig Buddies Sydney |
Useful links
If you still haven’t found a volunteer opportunity that suits you, visit Seek Volunteer or NSW Volunteering for an up-to-date list of volunteering opportunities.
Organisations seeking volunteers should ensure they hold current and valid volunteer insurance and review the definitions of volunteering and the principles of Volunteering Australia.
Related links: