Inside this issue:
N E W D E F I N I T I O N F O R V O L U N T E E R I N G— 2 0 1 5
On 27 July 2015, Volunteering Australia
released a revised & updated definition of
volunteering which had been under
consideration for some time. Consideration
was given to civic participation, formal and
informal volunteering, individual time-giving,
best practice guidelines, volunteers selfawareness and personal benefits, activism,
non-exploitation, non-financial gain, and the
common good of the community. The new
definition is similarly aligned to the United
Nations definition of volunteering.
practice. While this process may introduce an
element of financial or material benefit to the
volunteer it does not exclude the activity from
being considered volunteering.”
“Volunteers may receive an honorarium,
stipend or similar payment as recognition for
voluntary services or professional services
voluntarily rendered, in accordance with
Australian Taxation Office rulings. Based on
the nature of such payments and the
recipient’s circumstances, the receipt of this
type of payment does not preclude the person
from being considered a volunteer.”
What is the point of changing the definition?
The definition had to change because the
scope of volunteering has changed since
1996, Then volunteers “worked in not for
profit organizations in a long-term and face—
to-face capacity.“
Corporate volunteering,
micro volunteering, digital and virtual
volunteering and episodic and spontaneous
volunteering were not part of the older
definition.
For the common good
The new definition assists with the
understanding the community volunteering
breadth; the economic contribution to the
national economy; and the range, acceptance
and support for current and newer activities.
“In addition, the change in the definition may
impact on future legislation and policy and
lessening the distinction between profit and
not for profit entities in the growth of the
social enterprise in Australia.”
As a basis for policy development, the new
definition will assist with volunteer
management programs, volunteer insurance,
volunteer recruitment and retention and
volunteering measurement.
Some aspects of the definition are included
below:
VOLUNTEERING AUSTRALIA
NEW DEFINITION
1
VOLUNTEERING AUSTRALIA
NEW STANDARDS
2
GREAT NORTHERN CLEAN-UP DAY
2
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS MEETING
AUG 2015
3
CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL DISASTER
INFORMATION
4
THE PYJAMA FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
5
FNQVI COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
5
SENIORS AWARENESS DAY
6/7
ORGANISATION ADDRESS CHANGES
8
FNQVI BIRTHDAYS AND INFO
8
“This definition aligns with the United Nations
view that volunteering ‘should be for the
common good. It should directly or indirectly
benefit people outside the family or household
or else benefit a cause, even though the
person volunteering normally benefits as well.”
“Volunteering is often considered as
contributing to community wellbeing and
volunteering activities cover all sectors of
society, leisure and hobby areas and include,
but are not limited to animal-related including
animal welfare; arts, heritage, & culture;
business/professional/union; education and
training; emergency services; environment;
faith-based;
health;
international
aid/development; Law/justice/political;
parenting, children and youth; sport and
physical recreation; welfare/community.”
“Activism can be considered volunteering. This
definition is aligned to the current UN position
on volunteering that states: ‘When people
participate in peaceful activism, for or against
animal research or building of a dam, both
sides seek what they consider to be beneficial
outcomes. They are included in our definition.
Activities involving or inciting violence that
harm society and actions not corresponding to
the values attributed to volunteerism are not
“Without Financial Gain
“Volunteers can receive reimbursement of out included in our definition”.
of pocket expenses. Volunteers can be “Volunteers cannot be exploited for profit.”
rewarded and recognised as part of good “Volunteering can include the concept of
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
to research the
feedback from the
Tropical Wave Festival
19th Sept 2015
Fogarty Park
CLICK HERE
reciprocity such as participating in groups
where a reciprocal exchange of help/services is
undertaken for the benefit of others as well as
the volunteer.”
For more details on the new definition please
visit Volunteering Australia
VOLUNTEER TRIBUNE
NEW VOLUNTEERING
STANDARDS
New volunteer standards were released in
conjunction with 2015 National Volunteers Week
in May. They provide benefits to volunteers via
helping to improve the volunteer experience.
Benefits to organizations include providing “good
practice guidance and benchmarks to help
organizations attract, manage and retain
volunteers”, and helping to “manage the risk and
safety in their work with volunteers”.
PAGE 2
GREAT NORTHERN CLEANUP 2015
When:
Saturday 19th September or Sunday 20th September
1. Leadership and Management: The governing
body and senior employees lead and promote
a positive culture towards volunteering and
implementing effective management systems
to support volunteer involvement.
2. Commitment to Volunteer Involvement:
Commitment to volunteer involvement is set
out through vision, planning and resourcing,
and supports the organization’s strategic
direction.
3. Volunteer Roles: Volunteers are engaged in
meaningful roles which contribute to the
organization’s purpose, goals and objectives.
4. Recruitment and Selection: Volunteer
recruitment and selection strategies are
planned, consistent and meet the needs of the
organization and volunteers.
5. Support and Development: Volunteers
understand their roles and gain the
knowledge, skills and feedback needed to
safely and effectively carry out their duties.
6. Workplace Safety and Wellbeing: The health,
safety and wellbeing of volunteers is protected
in the workplace through.
7. Volunteer Recognition: Volunteer contribution,
value and impact is understood, appreciated
and acknowledged.
8. Quality Management and Continuous
Improvement: Effective volunteer involvement
results from a system of good practice, review
and continuous improvement.
The challenge to clean up northern Australia has again been
issued, with Cairns among many communities set to
participate in the Great Northern Clean Up. Held in September
each year to avoid the wet season, the Great Northern
Clean-Up is part of the Clean Up Australia Day campaign.
Each of these standards have various sub
components regarding policy and procedure of
the organizations involved. The full document on
the new standards is available here.
The nursery is open Mon & Thurs 9am 1pm
Councillor Dan Walton from the CRC Planning and
Environment Department is encouraged people to register a
clean-up site to help improve the amenity and the health of
the region. Volunteers can also register to join a site.
With the approach of a new wet season, this is an ideal
opportunity to clean up areas to prevent rubbish being
washed into waterways and thus the reef environment.
Council will assist with removal of rubbish from registered sites
and clean up kits will be made available to volunteers.
Every Saturday Kuranda EnviroCare have a
tree planting or maintenance activity.
Venue: Nursery—284 Myola Rd, Kuranda
Time: 8 am
Volunteers are welcome to help out in the
nursery or with tree planting.
VOLUNTEER TRIBUNE
PAGE 3
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS NETWORK MEETING AUGUST 2015
The August meeting of the VCN was attended by only
three volunteer coordinators organisations— Salvation
Army, IntegratedLiving Australia and FNQ Volunteers.
“it is unfortunate that only a small number of networkers
attend, however, this is the nature of our members being
busy and not having adequate manpower resources”, Oni
Vuniyaro commented after the meeting. “These
meetings are an important source of networking, and
updating information that is happening in our volunteer
community - I do encourage more agencies to attend.”
of disasters on the community wherever possible or
practical, and being prepared to respond when disasters
do occur. Plans and management arrangements have
been
developed
with
a
community
focus.
The plan shall:
The presentation was given by Sioux Campbell,
Coordinator of the Cairns Regional Council (CRC)
Disaster Management Unit (DMU). Sioux explained that
often the DMU is approached at their headquarters by
people during an “event” who believe the headquarters is
a shelter. However this is not the case. The DMU
headquarters is specifically for coordination of the
Emergency Services during a disaster event.
• Demonstrate a commitment for the safety of our
community;
• Ensure there is a consistent approach to disaster
management in the Cairns Region;
• Create an auditing tool for disaster management
functions;
• Ensure there is a central coordination of disaster
management in the Cairns Region;
• Demonstrate mitigation efforts and accountability for
the purpose of eligibility for available funding;
• Reduce the impact of a disaster; and
The management team has special powers during a • Reduce community consequences following an event.
disaster and can coordinate with the government of the The full plan can be viewed here.
day on exercising those powers in their area of disaster.
Overleaf, FNQVI has reproduced the list of Cairns
A Local Disaster Management Plan is in place for the
Regional Council Disaster Information contacts.
Cairns Region. “The aim of this Plan is to minimise the
effects of, co-ordinate the response to, and the recovery
Towards the Volunteer Coordinator Network Meeting,
from, a disaster or major emergency affecting the
do you have a presentation you wish to make?
community of the Cairns Regional Council.
Local Government underpins the Queensland Disaster
Management System as the key management agency at
the local level. The primary focus of the Cairns Regional
Disaster Management System is to mitigate the effects
Contact FNQ Volunteers on Ph: 4041 7400
Next Meeting: 15th October 2015
(to be confirmed)
Time: 11:00 pm—1:00 pm
Venue and presenter to be advised.
VOLUNTEER TRIBUNE
PAGE 4
CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL DISASTER INFORMATION
Disaster Information Website:
www.cairns.qld.gov.au/disaster
Cairns Local Disaster Coordination Centre
4044 3377
Life-threatening emergencies
000 (landline) or 112 (mobiles)
SES (national number)
132 500
Bureau of Meteorology
www.bom.gov.au
Ruralfire.qld.gov.au/map
Transport and Main Roads
131 940
tmr.qld.gov/travel-and-transport
Ergon
131 670
Ergon.com.au/networks/outages-and-disruptions
QLD Tropical Cyclone Warnings
1300 659 212
Telstra
132 203
seervicestatus.telstra.com
QLD Land Weather and Flood Warnings
1300 659 219
Get Ready Queensland
www.getready.qld.gov.au/be-prepared
QLD Coastal Marine Warnings
1300 360 427
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services
www.fire.qld.gov.au
Australian Tsunami Threat Information
(1300 Tsunami) 1300 360 6264
Radio Stations
QLD General Warnings (call costs apply)
1900 696 922
Rural Fire Service Cairns
4042 5468
ABC Far North
801AM, 95.5FM, 106.7FM
Cairns Community Radio
89.1FM
Bumma Bippera Media
Port Douglas
Community Services
2015 Annual General
Meeting
Sept 23
rd
@ 6.00pm
6-10 Mowbray St. Port Douglas
Contact:
Manager— Siobhan Delgado
Ph: 4099 5518
Volunteer Program
* Administration support and Reception Duties at the Port
Douglas Neighbourhood Centre
*Shop Assistants in the Nic Nak Shed - Second Hand Store
* Gardening
* Organising and Facilitating Groups
* Program tutors
* Management Committee Members
VOLUNTEER TRIBUNE
VOLUNTEERS FOR
PYJAMA ANGEL WINGS
AND
PYJAMA FOUNDATION TRAINING—LOVE OF LEARNING
PROGRAM
ANGEL WINGS: Interviews in Cairns on Wednesday 23
September 2015; 11am-7pm
Blue Card applications to be completed at this time,
interviews take approximately 45 minutes.
LOVE OF LEARNING PROGRAM: Training will take place
on Sunday 18 October 2015, 9am—4pm at the IFYS
office at 108 Mulgrave Road Cairns. Referee checks are
required, and referees should be aware you have
nominated them.
Volunteer Application forms are required
Anyone interested in volunteering please contact FNQ
Volunteers Inc. for a referral appointment
Ph: 4041 7400 or email info@fnqvolunteers.org
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
EVENTS
FNQ Volunteers Services Coordinator Oni Vuniyaro
engaged further with the Cairns Community this last
week of August.
He attended the official launch of Multi-cultural Week
2015, at Rydges Hotel — launched by Rob Pyne MP.
Community representatives, organisers and
Individuals were presented with Certificates of
acknowledgement and appreciation for their
contribution to our diverse community activities in
Cairns.
Oni also attended the award ceremony for the Cairns
Cultural Diversity Award 2015 – attended by City
Councillors, Government reps, NGO Reps and
nominees.
Olive Tau Davies and Hmong community
representative Mr Vang Yee Chang were recipients of
the Awards.
Oni noted The Cairns Festival parade on
Saturday
was colourful and entertaining with
community floats for CARMA and Pacific Community
Council [PCC] entered.
PAGE 5
CAIRNS KART RACING CLUB
EDMONTON
WANTED VOLUNTEERS:
The Club relies heavily on club members to assist with
various positions on race day, we are asking for
expressions of interest for CM:S Timing, Stewards,
Starter, Scales Marshall, Media and Website these
positions are all voluntary
If you are interested please contact
FNQ Volunteers Inc. for a referral appointment
Ph: 4041 7400 or email info@fnqvolunteers.org
FNQ
VOLUNTEERS
AGENCY
VISITS
The purpose of agency visits is to build rapport with the
visited organisation, update information and provides FNQ
Volunteer staff with first hand knowledge of how the
organisations work. Agency visits also allow the
organisation a review of volunteer jobs listed with FNQVI.
This then provides FNQ referral officer volunteers with
better and more accurate information in the volunteer
interviews. The visits build community spirit by working
with the organisations to achieve the best outcomes for all
parties.
Agencies can look forward to further liaison with Services
Coordinator Oni to further develop the network. Agencies
can also contact FNQVI to request a site visit should they
require.
Thursday 5 November 2015
VOLUNTEER TRIBUNE
PAGE 6
Seniors Awareness Day...
UnitingCare Community
Venue: Cazalys AFL Club
Liz and Lynda from FNQ Volunteers recently
participated in the Seniors Awareness Day
organised by Uniting Community Care. There
were many organisations supporting Senior
and these events cover a range of activities
and services. FNQ Volunteers Inc. (FNQVI)
because of their charter, can only refer
volunteers to not-for-profit organisations who
are FNQVI members and have public liability
and volunteer insurances in place.
Featured activities & services included square
dancing, travel, art, home support, yachting, ten-pin bowling, IT/computer (TAFE training
for the absolutely terrified), and University of the 3rd Age information. UnitingCare
Community “Elder Abuse” and BUPA Volunteers assisted with awareness of their services.
Above: Lynda & Liz from FNQVI
chating with Merlene
Each organisation gave a small information
presentation about their activities and services.
Tasty refreshments were provided and included little
hamburgers, sandwiches, cakes, slices, muffins,
savouries, fruit, tea, coffee, and cold drinks.
Ten-Pin Bowling: The venue—The Lanes, 93 Pease Street,
Manoora. This activity is available to all the community &
assists senior to maintain a degree of activity fitness.
Wheel-chair bowlers are catered for in this friendly &
social environment. A carer’s special discount game rate
is available. www.gobowling.com.au
The Aged Care Assessment Team if anyone has entry
level aged care needs and/or wants to access services
through the Commonwealth Home Support
Programme, such as meals or transport. Other services
include help in your own home, after-hospital (transition
care), and respite care for carers. For more information
Above: Toni and Ryan from The
visit www.myagedcare.gov.au
Lanes—GoBowling Cairns
Above: Nina & Karin from ACAT
Below: Darrin from Blue Care Cairns
promoting Men’s Shed
UnitingCare Community has a range of volunteer
activities in it’s retail shops, distribution centre,
community visitors program and telephone crisis
support. The Elder Abuse Program promotes the right of
older people to live free from financial, psychological,
physical, sexual, social abuse. The Elder Abuse
Prevention Unit (EAPU) provides a helpline, training,
awareness raising and information, peer support
network and participation. www.eapu.com.au.
Blue Care offers a range of services including respite
care, nursing, disability services, palliative care,
residential aged care, domestic assistance, personal care,
allied health services, continence advisory service, and
pastoral care & counselling. Associated with Uniting
Care Qld. More information at www.bluecare.org.au
Cairns City Square Dance Club asks seniors to come and
try square dancing to help keep fit, on Friday nights at
the Band Hall, cnr of Charles and Sheridan Street, North
Cairns from 78:30 to 10:00 pm.
Above: Stella and Amanda from
UnitingCare Community
VOLUNTEER TRIBUNE
PAGE 7
...but the activities are not just for Seniors
Senior Traveller Tours & Getaways is about adding fun and friendship to a
holiday package as well as personalised attention to all the details keeping
your holiday plans on track. They specialize in escorted group rail tours for
Seniors. Some current packages include Dunk Island, the Great South East,
High Tea (Mareeba Coffee Works) & Sunset Cruise (Mareeba Wetlands), and
cruising on the MV Trinity Bay to Cape York.
www.seniortravellertour.com.au
Cairns Art Society helps all those artists in the community to get a start at
improving skills and exhibiting at whatever age. The organisation is
volunteer inclusive. Membership offers a monthly newsletter, discount
materials at certain locations, plus discounted fees for exhibitions and
workshops. Members can also exhibit in the DFO Gallery at Westcourt as
well enter the three major exhibitions held through the year.
www.cairnsartsociety.com
Above: Kathy promoting Senior Traveller Tours &
Getaways
Cairns Meals On Wheels: Relying on volunteers to assist. this is a community
based service aiming to help the frail, aged, people with disabilities, and
people recovering from short term medical conditions. Hot, chilled or frozen
meals, special diets, salads and sandwiches are delivered between 11:00am
and 1:00 pm Mon-Fri. Ph: 4051 1300 or www.fnqmealsonwheels.org.au
BUPA Volunteer Program: BUPA run an aged-care residential home on
Progress Rd, White Rock. The Volunteers Program “welcomes volunteers into
their care homes, encouraging them to share their passions, interests and
skills” with the residents. Activities include gardening, cooking quilting,
knitting, sport, music, animals, arts & crafts and computing. Volunteers
should contact volunteers@bupacare.com.au for further enquiries.
Above: Maria and Sharon from Cairns Art Society Inc.
TAFE Queensland North has ranges for
courses for everyone, including
community services & sports; education
& training; business & management; IT
& creative arts; trades & engineering;
horticulture, conservation & land
management; health; marine; events,
hospitality and tourism; hair & beauty;
and school alternatives. All courses
assist in improving education and
interest activities for all. Child care is
available at the Cairns and Townsville
campuses tafenorth.edu.au
Above: Luella at the Qld TAFE table.
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS DAY
Saturday 5 December 2015
Above: Norma & Jacqui promoting Cairns Meals On
Wheels
VOLUNTEER TRIBUNE
PAGE 8
FNQ VOLUNTEERS NEW BUT FORMER LOCATION
FNQ Volunteers Inc. is back in premises where they
started many years ago.
The board made the decision to move into larger
premises at the end of the financial year to allow for
some expansion room. The former office at Virginia
House office was far too small to accommodate any
extra programs that might eventuate in the future.
This also gave the volunteer staff a little extra room.
Suit 6
Virginia House
68 Abbott Street
Cairns Qld 4870
Phone: (07) 4041 7400
Fax::
(07) 4041 7500
E-mail: info@fnqvolunteers.org
Website: fnqvolunteers.org.au
Volunteer staff are very thankful for this decision.
Volunteers will also be happier with the larger
interview room.
VOLUNTEER STAFF BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
We’re on Facebook:
FNQ Volunteers
FNQ Volunteers Mission Statement:
To develop and strengthen volunteering in
Far North Queensland for the mutual benefit
of the individual and the community
Leukaemia Foundation has moved.
New Addresses:
Maria’s Birthday Celebrations L-R: Robin, Maria, Terese, Oni,
Joanne, & Evelyn. After volunteering on her birthday, Maria
and friends visited Tandoori Oven to celebrate that evening.
Maria had nothing but good reports from the occasion. All
perfect!
New Address:
78 Anderson Street,
Manunda Qld 4870
Phone: 07 4053 6757
Fax: 07 4053 7995
No stairs and plenty of parking!
Physical: Cnr Comport and Buchan Street,
Portsmith, Cairns Qld 4870
Official address: 52B Comport Street,
Portsmith, Cairns Qld 4870
Volunteer positions are not only
available on FNQVI website,
but also on GoVolunteers
Want your event listed in our newsletter? Email us...
info@fnqvolunteers.org...Attn: Newsletter
FNQ Volunteers Inc. wishes to express thanks to the Australian Government’s
Department of Social Services for continued assistance