Community activities struggle as volunteer numbers decline

Community events and sport across Australia are struggling as a result of falling numbers of volunteers, leading to cancellations.

Having a specific impact in country Australia, events such as the Theodore Show in outback Queensland will not go ahead in 2025 because of a lack of volunteers.

Similarly, the Scouts group in the town of Gemfields in central Queensland ceased operations a few weeks ago due to a lack of volunteers while a Lions Club Christmas street party in the town of Longreach has also been cancelled this year for the same reason.

Similarly, community sport clubs across regional Australia are also struggling to retain administrators, managers and coaches for leagues and teams.

Earlier this year, a report from Volunteering Australia with the latest national volunteering data, advised that between 2019 and 2022, the number of formal volunteers declined by 1.86 million.

The report also revealed that rates of volunteering have been gradually declining since 2002, when around one-third of adults volunteered. Today, only a quarter of Australians volunteer.

At the time of the release of the report, Volunteering Australia Chief Executive, Mark Pearce stated “there’s been a long-term decline in volunteering.

“Of course, during COVID that number fell precipitously, and while numbers have recovered somewhat, they’re still not back to the pre-pandemic levels and that’s problematic.”

The report noted that the cost of living and generational changes have shifted the way people are volunteering, explaining "as the cost-of-living crisis bites, volunteers are vital in supporting our communities and helping those who are struggling in the challenging economic climate."

Providing insights into how volunteering, the report also highlighted that "more flexible volunteering opportunities have emerged, and the wellbeing benefits of volunteering are particularly important in challenging times.

"Unmet demand for volunteers in sectors traditionally supported by the volunteering community has increased due to the ongoing impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

"People are finding it difficult to prioritise volunteering, or afford the potential costs associated, such as transport or fuel.

"In fact, a quarter (26%) of young people say they don’t volunteer due to financial reasons, while just over half (54%) of volunteers say they’ve incurred out-of-pocket expenses from volunteering.”

That report also flagged volunteering in regional, remote, and rural Australia was significantly affected by COVID.

The biggest concern was that current volunteers were getting older and looking to finish up their community roles.

In its 10-year strategic plan released in 2023, Scouts Australia acknowledged its high volunteer-driven model was its "greatest vulnerability", due to volunteers being "less willing to make the intense and sustained time commitment required to be an adult in scouting".

Back in 2012, a report from the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies Inc (QCAS) advised of the importance of volunteers to agricultural shows, highlighting the importance of recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteers and stating that "without them the show movement will definitely cease to exist."

Image courtesy of Sport Australia Volunteer Week.