The Whitsunday Ergon Energy Volunteer Summit
(Value, Recognise, Support)
Background
The Whitsunday Shire Council in conjunction with Ergon Energy hosted the inaugural “Whitsunday Ergon Energy Volunteer Summit” held in Airlie Beach on the 21st & 2nd October 2006.
Although the Whitsunday Shire only has a small residential population of 17,000 people, the community has many dedicated and passionate volunteers, which is evident by the large number of registered non profit organisations (approx 150) in the area.
Part 1 of the Volunteers Summit project was to give local non-profit organizations the opportunity to tell us about the services they provide, their goals, current issues and training required. The results of this survey allowed the finalisation of the Summit format.
Summary
200 surveys were mailed out in mid July 2006 to all registered local non-profit organizations and ngo’s that service the Whitsunday Shire. 63 surveys were returned by the 31st August 2006 for collating and the results are now published. It is very humbling to see the scope and breadth of the work our volunteers undertake, and the volunteer’s length of service our volunteers. The results are broken down in accordance with the structure of the survey.
Results
Is your organisation an incorporated body?
Yes 86%
No 11%
No response 3%
Do you have DGR Status?
Yes 21%
No 76%
No response 3%
Organisation Type
Interestingly 14 organisations identified with more than one of the classification types, these organisations mainly identified as being aligned with Community, Service, Special Interest, Youth, Health, Arts & Culture and Sport & Recreation.
Back to top
|
Organisation Type
|
Number
|
|
Aged
|
3%
|
|
Arts and Culture
|
6%
|
|
Community
|
11%
|
|
Environment
|
5%
|
|
Professional
|
2%
|
|
Service
|
6%
|
|
Special Interest
|
5%
|
|
Sport and Recreation
|
35%
|
|
Youth
|
3%
|
|
More than one classification
|
22%
|
|
No response
|
2%
|
Year Organisation Founded
Of the 63 respondents, the longest serving local organisation was established in 1909, with the most recent organisation established in 2005. 32 of the respondent organisations have been formed in the last 20 years.
Membership Numbers
Membership numbers varied between the age and type of organisation. Over the 63 respondent organisations, the breakdown of membership follows:
Junior 1,181
Adult 2,608
Total 3,789
Number of Active Volunteers
The survey results reflected the view that we are a very proactive community with a large number of dedicated and hard working volunteers. A total of 1,194 active volunteers were identified within the 63 organisations equating to 7% of the Whitsunday’s resident population.
Volunteer Average Length of Service
The average length of service varied greatly between organisations ranging from 3 months to 50 years, with no specific correlation between organisation type and length of service.
Vision/Mission & Objectives/Goals
One constant theme that was identified in the majority of organisations was supporting and strengthening the community, in many unique and diverse ways. (Please see organisational profiles for further information)
Back to top
Do any of these issues impact on your ability to provide services?
The responses were consistent with the organising committee’s views on what training is required to assist and strengthen local non profit organisations. The major issue affecting service delivery is limited avenues of funding followed closely by volunteer recruitment and retention. The results are provided in graph format.
|
 |
Back to top
Other Issues identified were:
“Lack of support of the arts by Council”
“Suitable venue in Proserpine & Cannonvale for meeting”
“Insurance cost”
“Lack of Public Halls with wooden floors”
“Art and Craft Volunteers”
“No all weather cover e.g clubhouse”
“To be compliant we must operate within a commercial setting including adequate risk assessment for all tasks and with strict operating procedures and policies.”
“Our geographical location as in the distance from our competition base, and often lack of support from MAFL”
“Mainly Public Liability Insurance”
What does your organisation see as the most pressing local community issue?
The responses were somewhat surprising, as the most pressing local community issue identified often aligned with the service delivery issues of the particular organisation rather than the community at large.
Some of the issues identified are:
- The need for more playing fields and associated off field facilities
- Affordable housing and more nursing home places
- Lack of public facilities for meetings, art displays
- Providing a safe and healthy environment for the family
- Providing activities for children
- Drugs issue
- Parking in the CBD
- Awareness of services provided eg. Fauna Rescue
- Recognition of CDEP within the community
- More volunteers
- Community involvement
- Transport for people with specialist appointments and special needs
- Pace and magnitude of development - impact on natural environment
- Lack of camping areas
Back to top