The significant contribution that volunteers make to the social and economic development of our community is highly valued by Council. Volunteering for Council can be a highly rewarding experience with a number of benefits.

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering plays a critical and meaningful role within each community and can be very rewarding. Did you know that you can reap many benefits from volunteering? Read below to find out the benefits which you can gain from volunteering in your community.

• Learn and develop new skills
• Build both professional and social networks by meeting new people
• Improve your interpersonal communication skills
• Work in a creative, fun and flexible environment
• Give back to the community and know that you are playing a part in helping the community to flourish and grow is a great feeling of accomplishment
• Keeps your skills active and sharp - it's even great to volunteer in between jobs
• Creates a great work-life balance
• You may even be nominated for a Volunteer Recognition Award!

Ipswich City Council Volunteering Opportunities

Ipswich Art Gallery

The Ipswich Art Gallery presents a program of changing exhibitions, special events, family activities and art workshops. Volunteers at the gallery enhance the experience of gallery visitors and provide support at functions, workshops and events. Ideal candidates will have excellent communication skills and must be eligible to obtain a Working With Children Blue Card.

The Volunteer program is currently full and not taking on further volunteers at present, however you are welcome to submit an expression of interest for consideration when a vacancy is available.

For further information please contact the Visitor Services Officer on 3810 7240 or visit www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au

Ipswich Libraries

Friends of Ipswich Libraries Service

Assist the local community by joining the Friends of Ipswich Libraries Service. Friends work closely with Library staff to organise events and activities that facilitate community engagement, enrich the cultural life of the community, and promote and enhance the library service. As a member of this group you will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, assist at Book Sales,Trivia Nights, Lunch events featuring guest speakers and other events, and be involved in special initiatives such as the Books for Babies early literacy project.

Ipswich Poetry Feast

Help to enrich the cultural identity of Ipswich through involvement in the community-based committee behind the annual Ipswich Poetry Feast. The Poetry Feast provides the opportunity for poets of all ages to develop and showcase their skills through a diverse program of poetry related events. Contribute your ideas and support toward the organisation and delivery of these events and activities, which includes an international poetry writing competition, Poets' Breakfast and student workshops.

Home Library Service

Help those unable to access the library to enjoy the same privileges as the rest of the community by volunteering within the Home Library Service. This program provides valuable library services to individuals who are confined to their home for genuine reasons such as ill-health, frailty or disability. It also provides bulk loans to aged and special care facilities within the Ipswich region. Volunteers in this area assist library staff in the delivery and collection of library resources.

Requirements for volunteering in this area include:

• Commitment to a regular delivery schedule (fortnightly/monthly)
• Ability to lift boxes containing approximately 20 books

For further information please contact Library Client Services on 3810 7599.

Social Development Branch

Seniors' Concert Group

The Concert Group of volunteers are highly experienced senior performers who provide professional standard annual concerts in the Ipswich Civic Centre for Ipswich Seniors. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday mornings from mid-January to April each year.

Requirements for volunteering include:

• Be over fifty years of age;
• Be able to make a regular commitment to Tuesday rehearsals; and
• Have some experience in singing, acting and stage craft.

For further information please contact the Cultural Development Officer on 3810 6652.

Queens Park

Animal Care Volunteering Role (Ipswich Nature Centre)

Love animals and want to get involved? Get up close and personal with nature, and volunteer your time to help care for our growing range of native wildlife and Australian barn yard animals. From helping to keep the animal enclosures in top condition to helping prepare and deliver their meals, you'll be involved in all areas of animal care. Spend your time in the greatest outdoor office in town, get some animal care experience and meet loads of great people while your there.

As an Animal Care Volunteer you will have the opportunity to:

• Gain great industry work experience in a local government setting;
• Join a friendly team willing to train volunteers in a wide range of animal care tasks;
• Be invited to a range of interesting environmentally related training courses;
• Be recognised for the great contribution to the centre through events organised to celebrate our volunteers (National Volunteer Week and International Volunteer Day celebrations);
• Meet likeminded people who also have a passion for animal care.

Requirements for Volunteers wishing to participate in Animal Care:

• Be over 18 yrs of age (due to the nature of the volunteering role in animal care, the workplace health and safety risks associated and the level of supervision and support we are able to offer young persons to assist in the centre).
• Need to be able to supply own steel capped footwear.
• Be willing to obtain a blue card (due to the significant number of children visiting the centre). We can help volunteers obtain this.
• Be willing to commit to a weekly shift over a minimum 6 month period (7.15 am - 4.15 pm).
• Have the physical capability to carry out manual handling tasks required of Volunteer Animal Keeper role.
• Be willing to undertake all tasks (cleaning, feeding etc) associated with animal care (often cuddling/patting the animals is a very small part of the role).
• Ability to work independently and in a team and communicate well with Council staff and the general public if required.

Interested? Download the Volunteer Application Form (PDF, 40.0 KB)

Volunteering at the Environmental Education Centre (EEC)

Got a love of the environment and want to share it with the community? Get involved as a volunteer at the Environmental Education Centre and help to show others how they can care for the environment. Become an advocate for our city and help promote what's on offer in your backyard.

Volunteers at the EEC assist in the operation of the centre through welcoming visitors, providing visitors with promotional and educational items, helping restock and reorder brochures and materials, and helping keep the centre tidy. There is also the opportunity for volunteers to help with the delivery of children's educational programs and assist with other interactive displays if they choose.

Volunteers help educate the public on:

• How to reduce, reuse and recycle household waste.
• Composting and worm farms.
• House hold tips to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Where the public can go to explore our natural environment on foot, pushbike or horseback.
• How to improve our waterways.

As a volunteer at the Environmental Education Centre, you will have the opportunity to:

• Be part of an enthusiastic team of likeminded volunteers who are passionate about the environment;
• Be involved in field trips to see our natural environment of Ipswich to help you communicate this to the general public;
• Be involved in training sessions to help you understand the key environmental messages to be promoted to the community;
• Be involved in the delivery of environmental education to children and the community;
• Be invited to a range of interesting environmentally related training courses;
• Be recognised for the great contribution to the centre through events organised to celebrate our volunteers (National Volunteer Week and International Volunteer Day celebrations).

Interested volunteers ideally will have:

• A passion for protecting our environment.
• A general knowledge of Ipswich (this can be supplemented with information and training).
• Great people and communication skills to interact with members of the public; and
• The ability to make a regular commitment to the centre (weekly or fortnightly).

Interested? Download the Volunteer Application Form (PDF, 40.0 KB)

Ipswich Visitor Information Centre

Become a volunteer for the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre and help promote Ipswich as a leading destination. Ideal candidates will have a good local knowledge and a desire to help visitors make the most of their time in the city. Participating in bi-monthly familiarisation tours with your fellow volunteers will keep you up to date with what's on offer in your own backyard.

Minimum commitment required by volunteers include:

• One (1) four hour shift per week/fortnight
• Attendance at (3) three volunteer meetings per year
• Participation in three (3) familiarisations/site inspections per year
• Participation in one (1) training session as appropriate

For further information please contact the Tourism Officer on 3810 7446.

Council Event Volunteers

Be part of the action and help out with our Council events. You'll have the opportunity to help with a wide range of activities from helping set up displays, communicating with the public, helping control crowds or simply helping with preparing and serving meals. There is a variety of ways you can help out to make our events a success!

Volunteer Application and How to Apply

Fill out a Volunteer Application Form.

Volunteer Application Form (PDF, 40.0 KB)

All applications are to be forwarded through to the Community Engagement Branch or emailed through to communitydevelopmentrequests@ipswich.qld.gov.au

What happens next?

Once the application is received the applicant will be contacted by a Volunteer Coordinator to further discuss the opportunity to volunteer. Applicants will be accepted or referred to other areas according to our requirements for the role and based on the volunteers availability.

Ipswich City Council recognises the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement thus ensuring that the recruitment, selection and ongoing support of volunteers is based on sound volunteer management practice.

Please note Ipswich City Council is currently experiencing a high level of interest for volunteering positions. A number of volunteering programs are currently at or near capacity. Ipswich City Council encourages submission of applications, however please note you may be placed on a waiting list.

Related Information

• Seek Volunteering Service
• Volunteering Queensland
• Volunteering Services Australia