Volunteering does not happen by itself.

It takes local knowledge, trusted relationships and practical support to help people find the right volunteer role and to help community organisations recruit, manage and retain volunteers.

For more than 40 years, Volunteering Central Coast has provided that support.

Established in 1985, Volunteering Central Coast is the only dedicated Volunteer Resource Centre serving the NSW Central Coast. It currently supports 61 local community organisations, promotes around 170 volunteer roles, many requiring multiple volunteers, and has supported more than 1,000 volunteer applications for local roles in the past year.

These numbers represent real community need. Behind them are aged care services, neighbourhood centres, emergency services, sporting clubs, disability services, environmental groups, youth organisations and community programs that rely on volunteers to support local people.

But local volunteer support is now at risk.

The Commonwealth Government is changing the Volunteer Management Activity funding model. While transitional funding has been extended to June 2027, this does not provide a long-term solution.

Without secure, dedicated funding beyond June 2027, the Central Coast risks losing the local support system that helps volunteering happen.

A broad competitive grants model may leave established, place-based Volunteer Resource Centres competing against larger metropolitan organisations with greater grant-writing capacity. That risks shifting support away from local communities, even though volunteering depends on local relationships, local knowledge and trusted community connections.

This matters for both community organisations and volunteers.

Many small local organisations do not have dedicated staff to recruit and support volunteers. Without Volunteering Central Coast, they may face a greater administrative burden at a time when they are already stretched.

It also matters for residents who want to volunteer. People are looking for flexible, meaningful and well-supported ways to contribute. If it becomes harder to find the right role, or if organisations do not have the capacity to support volunteers well, fewer people may choose to volunteer.

Volunteering also builds connection. For people who are socially isolated, new to the area, retired, unemployed, recovering from hardship or navigating major life changes, volunteering can provide purpose, belonging and community connection.

We are asking the Australian Government to:

• maintain dedicated funding for established Volunteer Resource Centres
• genuinely consult with local Volunteer Resource Centres before finalising the post-2027 funding model
• ensure regional communities like the Central Coast do not lose local volunteer infrastructure through a broad competitive grants process
• recognise Volunteering Central Coast as essential local infrastructure that supports volunteers, community organisations and the broader community

Volunteers are one of our community’s greatest strengths.

Please sign this petition to help protect the local support that connects and sustains volunteering on the Central Coast.