Volunteering

Becoming a Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to become involved in your local area, learn new skills, meet new people, share your skills, gain work experience and help build a vibrant, connected, equitable community.

Regardless of your skills and experience, there's always an opportunity to make a positive difference to your life, and the lives of others. There are more community volunteering opportunities in the Bellingen Shire than you might think. Some might be one-off opportunities, others might be ongoing, but there is something for everyone. 

Benefits of volunteering

  • Get actively involved in your community
  • Build confidence
  • Meet new people 
  • Learn new skills
  • Gain valuable job experience

Council has a number of volunteer opportunities including at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, Visitor Information Centre, Library and Section 355 Committees. To find out more about these Council specific opportunities or to register your interest please go to our Committees & Volunteering page: Committees & Volunteering

Below is a list of opportunities to volunteer in your community. Updates to this page are made as they arise.

If you would like your organisation to be included on this page, you can complete the form below or contact our Community Partnerships Team on 6655 7300 or email council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au 

Volunteer Information Form

Arts & Culture

Dorrigo Arts Council

Promotes the arts in all its forms across the Dorrigo Plateau. It acts as an umbrella group for visual arts and performance arts groups and maintains close relationships with other incorporated and non-incorporated arts groups in the area, not otherwise part of the ACD. It seeks to promote the arts generally to assist local artists and craftspeople in exhibiting their work and becoming widely recognised for their skills.

Supportive and welcoming group. Sharing skills. Laughter, joy, company. No artistic skills required. Promoting local artists on the Dorrigo Plateau.

Bellingen Community Arts Council

Bellingen Community Arts Council is a not for profit organization entirely run by volunteers working to promote, encourage and support the practise and appreciation of arts across the community.

The Nexus Gallery at The Old Butter Factory is open 7 days a week. There are 2 exhibition spaces. Shows change every 4 weeks You would be part of a team at The Nexus Gallery at The Old Butter Factory. There are 2 shifts daily 10am to 1pm then 1pm to 4pm.

You would be engaging with the public, promoting sales while sitting in lovely surroundings. Help with social media would be much appreciated and could be done in your own time from home

Stitched-Up

  • Contact Michelle Stockton: bellingenstitchedup@gmail.com

2BBB Community Radio

2BBB is a Community Not for Profit Radio that has a variety of cultural programs featuring Australian music, local artists, local events and local information.

Camp Creative

Camp Creative offers a unique opportunity to be part of a diverse and hardworking team – and have a great time at a longstanding Bellingen community event. Be part of the Bellingen community tradition of volunteering – and support Camp Creative, a true Bellingen institution! Volunteer helpers love their time at the Camp – there’s a variety of roles, working with a supportive team – and volunteer contributions are always greatly valued. If you’re new to Bellingen, or seeking some new connections, you’ll be welcomed by the Camp volunteer community – it’s a great way to meet interesting and creative people.

Bellinger Valley Historical Society

The Bellinger Valley Historical Society (BVHS) was formed in 1962 by local identities. The aim was to research, collect, preserve and display the story and relics of the Bellinger Valley and its people. The first display was held at the Hammond and Wheatley Emporium with a collection of loaned articles and papers. In 1964 the collection was moved to a permanent display at Urunga, in a building in Bonville Street. In 1973 the BSC developed the site of the Urunga School of Arts and relocated a section of the building (built in 1903 by William Atherton) to Morgo Street. In 1983 the BSC built a new museum in Bellingen and the collection was then divided between Urunga and Bellingen. For 60 years our two Museums have been run by volunteers, who manage our vast collection of artefacts, photographs and newspaper collections. The society has published a number of books on local history. Our two museums are visited by schools, visitors to the area and the local community. Our collection includes family histories, boat and shipping memorabilia, Aboriginal life, community activities, transport, local identities, home life, the timber industry, recreation and land use. You can find us at

We manage the Bellingen and Urunga Museums and are looking for helpers. Call the Museum or drop in during advertised opening hours.

 

Environmental

Landcare

  • Contact Jason John: 0490 857 879
  • Email: office@bellingerlandcare.org.au

Bellinger Urban Landcare (BULC)

  • Email: info@bellingenurbanlandcare.org.au

Dandarrga Landcare Dorrigo

Dorrigo Community Nursery welcomes volunteers on site to assist with the Native Nursery, Dorrigo Seed Savers and our new Community Garden, and on our landcare projects along the Bielsdown River and at Rocky Creek. We are also a Centrelink Host Organisation for Mutual Obligation hours. More information can be found at www.dorrigocommunitynursery.org

  • Email: dandarrga@gmail.com

Coffee for Climate

  • Email: shop@kombuwholefoods.com.au

OzGreen

OzGREEN is an environmental charity based in Bellingen NSW committed to creating sustainable communities in regional NSW. We deliver programs, events and resources to increase people's wellbeing, build capacity and deliver community action projects that protect the environment and address regional disadvantage. We know that a healthy environment and connected communities are essential for this. Founded in 1992, we have been working in the Bellingen Shire community since 2008. OzGREEN employs and mentors regional young people to help us deliver our mission. See www.ozgreen.org Help reduce waste at major events, collect citizen science data to protect our rivers, help plant trees or support at tree planting events. Meet new people, get outdoors, learn new skills and feel good about doing something together to support the environment!

Bellingen Riverwatch - OzGREEN

Bellingen Riverwatch are looking for water quality monitoring volunteers to join the team. We provide comprehensive training and all the information you require! All you need is a passion for science and a commitment to helping protect our amazing rivers. There are diverse roles available within our water quality monitoring program.

Northbank Community Garden

Northbank Community Garden is a 5-acre organic, not-for-profit community garden on Gumbaynggirr Country that holds a special place in the hearts of the Bellingen community. The permaculture-designed garden contains fruit trees, medicinal and culinary herbs, communal gathering spaces, a kitchen, a composting toilet, and large garden plots for rent.

 

Community

Bellingen River District Hospital United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) Pink Lady's/Lads

The Bellingen UHA (United Hospital's Auxiliary) is a varied commuity group who support the hospital by raising money for essential medical eqiupment, we assist the hospital in any capacity that we are able to. Some of us create blanket ponchos to keep patients warm in winter, some volunteer in our cafe, for example. We are known as the 'pink ladies' but we do not discriminate. Men are a fantastic part of our group. We are all ages, philosphies and genders. This significant contribution enhances the quality of care we provide to our patients and ensures our healthcare facilities remain at the forefront of medical excellence.

Bellingen Youth Hub

The Bellingen Youth Hub is an Innovative place to foster positive outcomes for young people and the community by providing access to programs, services, activities and resources that support their wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Bellingen Playgroup

Community playgroup for babies, toddlers, and preschool kids, along with their carers. A place for parents and kids to learn, have fun, and make friends in the community. Supporting young families, running activities for small children, making friends.

Urunga Business and Community

UBC has diverse membership that includes local business, community and community groups, to Build Vibrant Coastal Villages in our shire. UBC holds quarterly networking events as well as major events such as Urunga Carols, Urunga Lights. UBC collaborates with other community groups which has led to ventures such as Artspace and Kalang River Classic.

UBC acts on behalf of the community to advocate for town improvements such as plater boxes, bike racks and recently the Seniors Hall Makeover as well as lobbying and engagement around the Urunga Masterplan that guide Urunga's future growth.

Urunga Lions Club

  • Contact Peter: 0435 721 409 or Jo: 0401 516 779

Royal Freemasons Benevolent Society (RFBI)

  • Contact Kerrie: 6659 5300

Bellingen Men's Shed

  • Contact: Michael: 0427 810 868 or Michelle: 0403 011 597

Connecting - Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire

  • Contact May: 0493 211 411

Red Cross

  • Contact Angela Slater: 6655 0228
  • Email: johnslater6@bigpond.com

Community Transport

Looking for volunteer drivers - especially in Dorrigo. Full training provided, Centrelink approved.

CWA 

Bellingen
  • Email Iris: migoldstein@bigpond.com
  • Phone: 6655 1231
Dorrigo
  •  Email Suzi: cwadorrigo@gmail.com
Urunga
  •  Email Annette: urungacwa1@gmail.com
  • Phone: 0410 642 603

St Vincent de Paul - Sacred Heart Conference - Dorrigo

  • Email: dorrigo.conference@vinnies.org.au
  • Phone: 0472 718 862

UHA United Hospital Auxilliary - Dorrigo Branch

We meet every 3rd Thursday of the month at the Dorrigo RSL at 10am. new members welcome! We'd love to have you join us.

  • Email: dorrigouhapresident@gmail.com

 

Sport & Recreation

Bellinger River Agricultural Society

Bellinger River Agricultural Society is a volunteer run, not for profit organisation that runs the annual Bellingen Show. Our vision is to engage, entertain and educate with a sustainable, inclusive community event which reflects the past, celebrates the present and looks to the future.

Dorrigo & Guy Fawkes Agricultural Association Inc

The Dorrigo Show has been running for over 110 years providing our community and visitors with entertainment and education on all things agricultural and more. Our Show hosts a variety of events and competitions with something of interest for everyone - amusement rides, cooking, arts & crafts, livestock, showjumping, poultry, showbags, rodeo, demolition derby, fireworks, food vendors and so much more. A licensed bar and musical entertainment help make this an occasion not to be missed.

The Dorrigo Show is supported solely by volunteers. We have a great group of volunteers but are always in need of more. Not only will you build friendships, you can learn new skills and gain experience all while enjoying time on the beautiful Dorrigo Plateau.

Scouts Australia

  • Contact Geoff Tosio: 0400 206 466

Bellingen Men's Shed

  • Contact Michael: 0427 810 868 or Michelle: 0403 011 597

Libraries

Bellingen Library

Phone: 6655 1744 or email bellingenlib@crl.nsw.gov.au

Dorrigo Library

Phone: 6657 2234 or email dorrigolib@crl.nsw.gov.au

Urunga Library

Phone: 6655 or email urungalib@crl.nsw.gov.au

Community Halls

Council has a number of Halls and Museums that are managed and run by Section 355 committees. These Committees are made up of volunteers that assist with a range of tasks such as taking books, assisting at working bees, managing the finances etc... The following Halls are managed by volunteers and could use your help.

  • Brierfield Hall
  • Deervale Hall
  • Dorrigo Hall
  • Hickory House
  • Megan Hall
  • Mylestom Hall
  • Raleigh Hall
  • Thora Hall
  • Urunga Literary Institute and Senior Citizens Centre

For more information or to register your interest as a Council volunteer, please visit our Committees and Volunteering page.

Emergency Service

SES State Emergency Service

NSW SES is a volunteer-based organisation that works with communities to prepare and respond to severe weather events. We are the lead agency for flood, storm and tsunami in NSW. We manage responses to these emergencies and help communities prepare through planning and education. NSW SES volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing with them many different skills, interests and backgrounds. They are united by the purpose of supporting their communities in times of need. The NSW SES is looking for volunteers to assist in all areas. Training provided

RFS Rural Fire Service

www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer

 

Some volunteer roles that have direct contact with children will require a Working with Children Check clearance.

Apply for a Working with Children Check on the NSW Service website: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check

 

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