Six Toowoomba clubs form part of a state-wide pledge of volunteers to stymy a downward trend in volunteering – delivering a much-needed boost for organisers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Just as well, as local volunteers are sure to be in high demand with an Equestrian Centre of Excellence on the cards for the Toowoomba Showgrounds. Queensland’s community clubs, including sports, surf lifesaving and RSL clubs, have pledged the state’s largest volunteer base to boost Olympic and Paralympic volunteer numbers as officials try to arrest a worrying trend before 2032.
Clubs Queensland, which represents 1290 community clubs including six in Toowoomba, has told the State Government’s inquiry into volunteering that 2032 Games organisers can learn from the experience of the 2000 Sydney Games when community clubs were the backbone of a volunteer movement hailed for its friendliness, visibility and efficiency.
The State Government is undertaking an Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland, with a public hearings ending in Brisbane last week ahead of final report to be presented in September. The inquiry has already heard that total volunteer numbers in Queensland have fallen by 10 per cent since 2020 and total hours volunteered each month are down almost 20 per cent.
The 2032 Games will require a volunteer army that, unlike Sydney’s Games, must be spread through Queensland’s cities with Olympic events planned from the Gold Coast to greater Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Mackay, Whitsundays, Townsville and Cairns.
Clubs Queensland provided a submission to the inquiry and presented to the hearing during a sitting in Toowoomba last week. Clubs Queensland told the inquiry that community club volunteer numbers had declined but not at the same rate as volunteers from other fields.
“Queensland’s community clubs are made up of all forms of sporting clubs, RSL and services clubs, surf lifesaving supporters clubs, racing clubs and all forms of social, special interest and cultural clubs,” Clubs Queensland CEO Kelly Egan said.
“Together, community clubs mobilise a base of 41,500 Queenslanders, which represents the largest volunteer base in the state. Most importantly our club collegiate can and continues to tangibly support that base.
“Without the club industry’s ‘army’ of volunteers, community clubs could simply not operate. Volunteers are the heart and backbone of many clubs. They contribute in ways that allow clubs to thrive, ensuring that they can serve their members, sustain operations foster participation and deliver a sense of connection and purpose.
“They’re good at what they do and they have a lot to offer as part of the coordination of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Especially with these Games to be the most decentralised Games in history, it’s a perfect opportunity for Games organisers to tap into the spirit of community clubs.”
Clubs Queensland has discussed with ClubsNSW officials on how their volunteers assisted in the success of the Sydney Games. Clubs Queensland has offered to report back to the Queensland Government on those learnings which included insights into community clubs transporting their volunteers to Games destinations.
Clubs Queensland has recommended that the State Government establishes a taskforce to explore volunteer opportunities with community clubs and other sectors, focusing on the likes of volunteer roles needed, transferable skills of existing volunteers and transport capacity.
“Anyone who went to the Sydney Games came away with a story about the wonderful job that the volunteers did across the Olympics and Paralympics,” Mr Egan said.
“The 2032 Games present a different challenge because of their decentralisation but community clubs are in every part of the state so we are well equipped to help.
“We want this state to shine in 2032 and that will require helpful, friendly faces to keep the Games running smoothly. Queenslanders are up to the job and community clubs will be there to help, as they do every day.”
In a broader submission on volunteering to the State Government inquiry, Clubs Queensland outlined that the decline in volunteer numbers was impacted by older volunteers stepping back and not being replaced by younger people along with insurance cost issues and increasing compliance requirements.
“Younger Queenslanders in clubs report that work commitments, family responsibilities and other commitments are the primary reasons as to why they don’t have the time to step into a volunteering role,” the submission read.
“Our feedback indicates that with the current cost-of-living pressures, younger Queenslanders need to prioritise paid work to ensure they can get by.”
Clubs Queensland recommended several initiatives to increase volunteer numbers including:
- Formalising volunteer-to-career-path programs
- Financial incentives in the form of concessions including tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses
- Corporate volunteering opportunities
- Improving volunteer infrastructure and recognition
- Promoting volunteer opportunities to younger Queenslanders
“We need to take this issue seriously and look at practical measures to increase volunteering numbers,” Mr Egan said.
“Declining volunteer rates have a ripple effect. Fewer volunteers places pressure on remaining volunteers, resulting in volunteer burnout that compounds declining volunteer rates.”
Clubs Queensland community clubs in Western and Southern Downs region:
- 1 club in Clifton
- 2 clubs in Dalby
- 3 clubs in Gatton
- 2 clubs in Laidley
- 1 club in Oakey
- 3 clubs in Pittsworth
- 2 clubs in Roma
- 2 clubs in Stanthorpe
- 6 clubs in Toowoomba
- 3 clubs in Warwick
By the numbers:
- Clubs Queensland represents 1290 community clubs in Queensland.
- These clubs have a combined 4.1 million memberships.
- These clubs employ more than 34,000 people.
- These clubs return over $549 million in community contributions.
- These clubs generate annual economic activity valued at more than $2.5 billion for the State’s economy.
About Clubs Queensland
- Clubs in Queensland are membership-based, not-for-profit organisations providing services to members and the local community.
- The surplus generated by clubs is used to deliver important and highly valued services in their surrounding communities and for visitors to their region. This support includes cash contributions, non-cash benefits, community assets and the mobilisation of volunteers.
- Clubs are important community hubs for social interaction and engagement. Members have a shared sense of values and belonging, strengthening the social fabric and promotes strong community cohesion.