Volunteering in Manly
To see our current vacancies please visit
http://www.manly.nsw.gov.au/Current-Volunteer-Opportunities.html
Thank you for visiting Manly Council’s volunteering page, without the continued efforts of our volunteers the Manly culture and our community would be very different. Many of our services depend on our volunteers and would not be able to operate without the commitment of these special people dedicating their time, energy and knowledge.
Manly Council long acknowledges that volunteers play a vital component in our social, environmental and cultural well-being which is an integral role in establishing our vibrant community atmosphere. If you have any general enquiries about volunteering in the Manly community please don't hesitate to contact the Volunteer Coordinator, we have various one-off opportunities throughout the year and an ongoing program, if you are interested in joining the program, please check out current vacancies here to apply please complete the application form at the bottom of this page.
What does it mean to be a volunteer?
To volunteer means to dedicate your time in an unpaid capacity to an organisation within an allocated voluntary role. Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work within an organisation but aimed to enhance the services offered by not-for-profit or governmental organisations.
Volunteering is formally defined as
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To be of benefit to the community and to the volunteer
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Of the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion
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For no financial payment and in designated volunteer positions only
Why Volunteer??
Volunteering benefits more than just the volunteer and Manly Council, volunteering has an impact on the entire community. Your time, efforts and skills can make a real difference to many people;
Volunteering has a lovely cycle and will touch many - volunteerism is often quoted as being the heart of any community.
Volunteering allows you to develop your skills, create new social networks, meet likeminded people and allows you to be actively engaged in your community.
Volunteering empowers individuals, enhances organisations and strengthens communities.
Manly Council has a diverse volunteering program aimed at inspiring community involvement which plays a vital role in our social, environmental and cultural well-being. Volunteerism plays a crucial role in establishing our vibrant community atmosphere.
Who Volunteers?
The facts on volunteering will surprise you: everybody volunteers their time & efforts for many different reasons, and are involved in many different organisations. These figures have been provided by the latest ABS Voluntary Work, Australia Survey (2006).- Around 713 million hours were volunteered in Australia during 2006
- 34% of the adult population in Australia volunteered their time during 2006
- 5.4 million people over 18 years have volunteered within Australia during 2006
- The most active volunteer age group is 35-44yrs, followed closely by 45-54yrs and 25-34yrs
- Volunteering contributes several billion dollars to the economy each year.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers are involved in a variety of roles, and are often referred to as our nation’s greatest asset. Here at Manly Council we have volunteers involved in a range of activities from computer tutoring to tree planting to event volunteers. Volunteering is only limited by your imagination; think about your skills, interests and passion and how you can apply these in an organisation.
The four most common volunteering activities within Australia are:
- Fundraising: 48%
- Preparing and serving food: 31%
- Teaching/providing information: 28%
- Administration: 26%
ABS Voluntary Work, Australia Survey (2006).
Other volunteering opportunities include:
- Participating in a campaign – sharing your passion
- Helping to organise funds
- Providing friendship
- Helping out in a hospital by visiting patients or providing support
- Providing counselling or support to those in need
- Providing transport
- Helping the natural environment
- Assisting a sporting club
- Providing emergency support or relief
- Rescuing or caring for animals (animal welfare)
- Providing business support (marketing, web development, promotion)
- Being involved in the arts (museum, art gallery, antiques, education)
- Being involved in a committee - providing support with administration
- Overseas volunteering such as helping in communities with building, education, welfare or environmental projects.
- Being involved in a school through either tutoring, mentoring or supervising
How to Find a Volunteer Role
The world of volunteering is exciting and very diverse, take the time to consider the type of organisation you would like to be involved in and the type of work you would like to do. Make sure you contact the organisation and ask questions or find out as much information you can prior to applying.
To help you find a volunteer role there are many resources available including;
Northside Community Connect is a volunteer referral agency here on the Northern Beaches. With various membership organisations you can find out what opportunities are available in the local area call 9931 7777 for more information. Interviews are conducted in Manly on Wednesday’s or information can be provided over the phone.
The Centre for Volunteering, located in Sydney CBD, has the largest database of membership organisations across the Sydney region and will interview you to determine your interests and capabilities. To find out more about the Centre please visit www.volunteering.com.au/
GoVolunteer is a website dedicated to matching volunteers with vacancies. You can view hundreds of volunteer roles and even apply online. GoVolunteer also gives you the opportunity to contact the organisation directly to ask any questions. Visit www.govolunteer.com.au
Fido is a skilled volunteer website connecting experienced volunteers with not-for-profit organisations. Visit www.fido.com.au for more information
Good Company is also a great website dedicated to matching skilled professional volunteers with not-for-profit organisations. You can view current vacancies at www.goodcompany.com.au/
Other ideas include contacting not-for-profit organisations directly to offer your services. Think about how you can benefit them while also considering how the experience will benefit you. Have a look at their website to see what opportunities they have available or what programs they offer.
For school students there are additional resources including: 
Student Volunteering - 1,330 KB
- The Centre for Volunteering Student Community Involvement Program (SCIP). This is a program dedicated to engaging school students in voluntary work. For more info visit www.volunteering.com.au/youth_volunteering/index.asp
- Act Now is a website created by youth for youth and has information on volunteering. Check out www.actnow.com.au
- Red Cross Youth Challenge is a program designed to engage youth in their community through volunteering. To find out more visit www.takethechallenge.com.au
- Have you considered options in your local sports club, Scouts, Girl Guides, vacation care, hospital, homeless shelter or community group?
- Check the web to investigate community or not-for-profit organisations that you are interested in. Most organisations will have a volunteer section describing their programs and opportunities
Every effort has been made to ensure that this is a comprehensive list of relevant organisations. However, if you have any suggestions for inclusion, please contact the Community Volunteer Coordinator at Manly Council on 9976 1658 or volunteering@manly.nsw.gov.au . Manly Council does not necessarily endorse these organisations or their websites.
More Information???
Thank you for your interest in our volunteering program, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the Community Volunteer Coordinator or if you would like to apply please complete the following application form 
Volunteer Application Form 2008 - 128 KB
Contact Sonya Tirtajaya
Phone 02 9976 1658
Fax 02 9976 1400
Email volunteering@manly.nsw.gov.au
Post PO Box 82 Manly N.S.W 1655
Person 1 Belgrave Street Manly 2095
For more information on our volunteer program please see our Volunteer Handbook Volunteer Handbook - 471 KB